Hindi · Difficult words
How to pronounce भाई-बहन in Hindi
भाई-बहन
Romanization: bhāī-bahan
Siblings
Standard Hindi; reference: Hindi, Standard · Choose 1.00× to hear the original pace.
भाई-बहन is pronounced /bʱɑː.iː.bə.ɦən/ in Hindi. In भाई-बहन: Keep the consonant voiced and let the release become breathy where the IPA shows /ʱ/. Compare it with the corresponding voiced consonant without that breathy release. Listen to the word on its own, then compare it with the example sentence.
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Find the sounds in भाई-बहन
Read भाई-बहन in these IPA segments: bʱɑː · iː · bə · ɦən. Dots and stress marks identify the boundaries shown in the reference; these symbols are not English spelling. Listen for the vowel quality and timing in the full recording; this reference does not mark a separate main stress.
1.Breathy voiced consonants
In भाई-बहन: Keep the consonant voiced and let the release become breathy where the IPA shows /ʱ/. Compare it with the corresponding voiced consonant without that breathy release.
Watch out: Do not drop the breathy release or turn it into a separate ha syllable. This differs from the stronger unvoiced puff marked /ʰ/.
2.Long vowels
In भाई-बहन: Hold the vowel marked /ː/ longer while keeping its quality steady. The length mark belongs to the immediately preceding sound.
Watch out: Do not turn a long vowel into two separate syllables or an English-style diphthong.
3.Front-vowel position
In भाई-बहन: Listen for the distinction between the closer /i/ and the more relaxed /ɪ/ when shown. Keep your tongue toward the front.
Watch out: Do not decide vowel quality from English spelling alone.
Hear it in context
आपके कितने भाई-बहन हैं?
aapke kitne bhaai-bahan hain?
How many siblings do you have?
Listen once, say it aloud, then replay at 1.00×. Keep the word connected to the surrounding sentence rather than giving every syllable equal weight.
Pronunciation and variety
भाई-बहन is presented using Standard Hindi. Regional accents and connected speech can change details. The isolated word and the example let you compare the dictionary form with a short spoken context.
The English-style respelling is approximate. Use the IPA and recording together for vowel quality and consonants that do not have an exact English equivalent.
Meaning and everyday use
Questions about भाई-बहन
How do you pronounce भाई-बहन?
भाई-बहन is pronounced /bʱɑː.iː.bə.ɦən/ in Hindi. In भाई-बहन: Keep the consonant voiced and let the release become breathy where the IPA shows /ʱ/. Compare it with the corresponding voiced consonant without that breathy release. Listen to the word on its own, then compare it with the example sentence.
What should I listen for first?
In भाई-बहन: Keep the consonant voiced and let the release become breathy where the IPA shows /ʱ/. Compare it with the corresponding voiced consonant without that breathy release. Start at 0.75×, then return to 1.00× to hear the natural rhythm.
