Hindi · People & Family

"Cousin" in Hindi: चचेरा भाई

चचेरा भाईchachera bhaai

Say it: cha-CHE-raa bhaa-eemasculine noun/tʃətʃeːrɑː bʱɑːiː/

Note: female: चचेरी बहन (chacheri bahan); everyday: कज़िन (cousin)

A male cousin on your father's brother's side is चचेरा भाई (chachera bhaai). A female cousin on that side is चचेरी बहन (chacheri bahan). Many young people also say cousin in English.

Introducing family at a wedding

यह मेरे चचेरा भाई राहुल हैं।

yeh mere chachera bhaai Raahul hain.

This is my cousin Rahul.
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How to pronounce चचेरा भाई

Say it

cha-CHE-raa bhaa-ee

/tʃətʃeːrɑː bʱɑːiː/

Chachera is cha-CHE-raa, then bhaai like bhaa-ee. Keep both parts clear; don't blur them into one mushy word.

"Cousin" in Hindi: quick reference

HindiEnglish
चचेरा भाईchachera bhaaimale cousin (father's brother's son)

The headword form.

चचेरी बहनchacheri bahanfemale cousin (same side)

Feminine counterpart.

ममेरा भाईmamera bhaaimaternal uncle's son

Mother's brother's side.

कज़िनcousincousin

Everyday English loan.

How to use चचेरा भाई in real life

  1. 1Introducing family at a wedding

    यह मेरे चचेरा भाई राहुल हैं।

    yeh mere chachera bhaai Raahul hain.

    This is my cousin Rahul.

    Respectful hain.

  2. 2Phone call home

    मेरा चचेरा भाई कल दिल्ली रहा है।

    mera chachera bhaai kal Dilli aa raha hai.

    My cousin is coming to Delhi tomorrow.

    Travel news.

  3. 3Childhood memory

    गर्मियों में हम चचेरा भाई के साथ खेलते थे।

    garmiyon mein hum chachera bhaai ke saath khelte the.

    In summer we used to play with our cousin.

    Plural-feeling childhood.

Mistakes English speakers make with चचेरा भाई

Incorrect: Calling every cousin only bhai without the chachera cue when clarity matters

Correct: Chachera bhaai / chacheri bahan

Bhai alone can mean friend. Chachera bhaai marks the family tie.

Incorrect: Mera chachera bahan

Correct: Meri chacheri bahan

Gender must match: chacheri bahan, meri.

Good to know

Indian families track cousin lines carefully: chachera, mamera, mausera, phuphera. Weddings and festivals often bring dozens of cousins under one roof. Younger speakers still switch to English cousin in casual chat, especially in cities.

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Pointing out relatives at a family lunch

  1. ChatPal

    वो लाल शर्ट में मेरे चचेरा भाई हैं।

    vo laal shirt mein mere chachera bhaai hain.

    That one in the red shirt is my cousin.

  2. You

    अच्छा! आपके चचेरा भाई कहाँ रहते हैं?

    achha! aapke chachera bhaai kahaan rahte hain?

    Oh! Where does your cousin live?

  3. ChatPal

    जयपुर में। गर्मियों में अक्सर मिलते हैं।

    Jaipur mein. garmiyon mein aksar milte hain.

    In Jaipur. We often meet in summer.

  4. You

    मज़ेदार! मेरा चचेरा भाई भी जयपुर में है।

    mazedaar! mera chachera bhaai bhi Jaipur mein hai.

    Fun! My cousin is in Jaipur too.

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"Cousin" in other languages

FAQ

Common questions about "Cousin" in Hindi

What about a girl cousin?

On the same side, say चचेरी बहन (chacheri bahan).

What is mamera bhaai?

Your maternal uncle's son — mother's brother's side.

Can I just say cousin?

Yes in casual city talk; chachera bhaai is clearer with elders.

Is cousin the same as bhai?

Bhai can mean brother or close male friend. Chachera bhaai specifies cousin.

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