Vietnamese · Family & People
anh trai
Older brother
Beginnernoun
Definition
Vietnamese distinguishes older and younger siblings; anh means older male.
Example
Anh trai tôi hơn tôi ba tuổi.
My older brother is three years older than me.
Etymology
'Anh trai' combines 'anh', meaning older brother, derived from Proto-Austroasiatic, with 'trai', meaning boy, affirming the familial hierarchy in Vietnamese culture. This term has historical significance reflecting the importance of elder siblings.
How & Where It’s Used
'Anh trai' is used in both spoken and written Vietnamese across various social contexts, primarily informal and familial. It carries a respectful undertone when addressing one’s older brother and is widely understood across all regions in Vietnam.