चचेरा (chacheraa)

adjective An adjective used almost exclusively in the fixed phrase चचेरा भाई (chacheraa bhaaii, 'paternal-uncle's-side cousin brother') and its feminine counterpart, marking a cousin relationship specifically through the father's brother (चाचा, chaachaa).
Sense 1 : cousin (on father's brother's side)
adjective Almost always appears bound to भाई (bhaaii) or बहन (bahan) as चचेरा भाई (chacheraa bhaaii) / चचेरी बहन (chacherii bahan); rarely stands alone.
Frequency: medium
Cultural Note: Hindi (like many South Asian languages) has no single word for 'cousin' -- it specifies exactly which relative connects you: चचेरा (chacheraa) for father's brother's child, ममेरा (mameraa) for mother's brother's child, फुफेरा (phupheraa) for father's sister's child, and मौसेरा (mauseraa) for mother's sister's child. In many joint families, a चचेरा भाई (chacheraa bhaaii) grows up in the same household and is functionally treated like a full brother, not a distant relative -- so the word carries real emotional closeness, not just genealogical precision.
Common Mistakes: 1) Learners often use भाई (bhaaii) or बहन (bahan) alone, or say कज़िन (kazin), without realizing Hindi distinguishes cousins by which relative links them -- चचेरा (chacheraa) specifically means through the father's brother, not through the mother's side or the father's sister. 2) Confusing चचेरा (chacheraa) with मामा-side cousin words like ममेरा (mameraa) or फुफेरा (phupheraa) is a very common error, since English 'cousin' collapses all of these into one word.
Sample Sentences:
यह मेरा चचेरा भाई है। This is my paternal cousin (brother).
(yah meraa chacheraa bhaaii hai।)
Register: Neutral -- Mood: Indicative -- Tense: Present -- Voice: Active
मेरी चचेरी बहन दिल्ली में रहती है। My paternal cousin (sister) lives in Delhi.
(merii chacherii bahan dillii men rahtii hai।)
Register: Neutral -- Mood: Indicative -- Aspect: Habitual -- Tense: Present -- Voice: Active
हम दोनों चचेरे भाई एक ही घर में साथ बड़े हुए हैं। The two of us paternal cousins grew up together in the same house.
(ham donon chachere bhaaii ek hii ghar men saath bade hue hain।)
Register: Casual -- Mood: Indicative -- Aspect: Perfective -- Tense: Past -- Voice: Active
मेरा चचेरा भाई सगे भाई से कम नहीं है। My paternal cousin is no less than a real brother.
(meraa chacheraa bhaaii sage bhaaii se kam nahiin hai।)
Register: Casual -- Mood: Indicative -- Tense: Present -- Voice: Active
क्या तुम्हारा कोई चचेरा भाई भी विदेश में पढ़ रहा है? Is any paternal cousin of yours also studying abroad?
(kyaa tumhaaraa koii chacheraa bhaaii bhii videsh men padh rahaa hai?)
Register: Casual -- Mood: Indicative -- Aspect: Continuous -- Tense: Present -- Voice: Active
अगर मेरा चचेरा भाई शहर में होता, तो हम रोज़ मिलते। If my paternal cousin were in the city, we would meet every day.
(agar meraa chacheraa bhaaii shahar men hotaa, to ham roz milte।)
Register: Neutral -- Mood: Counterfactual -- Aspect: Habitual -- Voice: Active
अपने चचेरे भाई को शादी में ज़रूर बुलाओ। Do invite your paternal cousin to the wedding.
(apne chachere bhaaii ko shaadii men zaroor bulaao।)
Register: Casual -- Mood: Imperative -- Voice: Active
शायद मेरी चचेरी बहन इस बार होली पर आए। Perhaps my paternal cousin (sister) will come for Holi this time.
(shaayad merii chacherii bahan is baar holii par aae।)
Register: Neutral -- Mood: Subjunctive -- Voice: Active
पूजा में सारे चचेरे भाई-बहनों को बुलाया गया। All the paternal cousins were invited to the prayer ceremony.
(poojaa men saare chachere bhaaii-bahnon ko bulaayaa gayaa।)
Register: Formal -- Mood: Indicative -- Aspect: Perfective -- Tense: Past -- Voice: Passive
बचपन में मेरा चचेरा भाई हमेशा मेरे साथ खेलता था। In childhood, my paternal cousin always used to play with me.
(bachpan men meraa chacheraa bhaaii hameshaa mere saath kheltaa thaa।)
Register: Casual -- Mood: Indicative -- Aspect: Habitual -- Tense: Past -- Voice: Active
Morphology
Adjective (variable)
(sg.m): चचेरा (chacheraa)
(pl.m): चचेरे (chachere)
(sg.f): चचेरी (chacherii)
(pl.f): चचेरी (chacherii)