Definition

Noun: - Elder brother: A respectful and formal term used to address or refer to an older brother or a male peer in a fraternal context, often found in classical literature, historical contexts, or certain traditional organizations. It conveys respect and acknowledges seniority.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Trong hội, mọi người gọi người sáng lập lớn tuổi là "huynh". (In the association, everyone calls the older founder "elder brother".)
  • "Xin mời huynh vào nhà," người em nói một cách lễ phép. ("Please come in, elder brother," the younger sibling said respectfully.)
  • Tình huynh đệ giữa họ thật sâu nặng. (The fraternal bond between them is very deep.)

Advanced Usage

• "Quyền huynh thế phụ": A proverb meaning "the elder brother's authority replaces the father's". It describes a situation where the eldest brother assumes the father's role and responsibilities in the family after the father's passing.
  • Sau khi cha mất, anh cả đã thực hiện quyền huynh thế phụ. (After their father died, the eldest brother exercised the authority of the elder brother in place of the father.)

Variants and Related Words

• Huynh đệ (noun): Brothers; fraternity. This compound word specifically denotes the relationship between brothers or a brotherly bond.
  • Họ không phải anh em ruột nhưng tình huynh đệ rất thắm thiết. (They are not biological brothers, but their fraternal bond is very close.)
• Đệ (noun): A respectful term for a younger brother, often paired with "huynh".
• Hiền huynh (noun): A polite and affectionate term for an elder brother, meaning "virtuous elder brother".

Synonyms

• Anh (noun): Brother; a common, contemporary term for an older brother or an older male.
• Bào huynh (noun): (Literary) Elder brother from the same womb; blood brother.

Notes on Usage

• The word "huynh" is considered classical, literary, and formal. In modern everyday Vietnamese, "anh" is the standard and common term for "elder brother".
• "Huynh" is frequently used in historical novels, period dramas, martial arts stories (kiếm hiệp), and within contexts of traditional guilds or brotherhoods to denote respect and hierarchy among male members.
• It is primarily used as a term of address or reference for males. The corresponding term for a younger brother is "đệ".

noun

1. elder brother