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भतीजा (bhatiijaa)

noun A kinship noun meaning 'nephew' (specifically brother's son) -- one sense only.
Sense 1 : nephew (brother's son)
noun, masculine
Frequency: high
Cultural Note: In most Indian families, the distinction between a brother's child and a sister's child matters a lot more than it does in English, because these relationships often carry different social and ritual expectations (a भतीजा (bhatiijaa) usually stays closer to the paternal family line, especially in traditional or joint-family setups). Compare the parallel pair: भतीजी (bhatiijii) is 'niece' on the brother's side, while भांजा/भांजी (bhaanjaa/bhaanjii) cover the sister's side.
Common Mistakes: 1) Hindi distinguishes nephew by side: भतीजा (bhatiijaa) is specifically the son of one's brother, while भांजा (bhaanjaa) is the son of one's sister -- English 'nephew' collapses this distinction, so learners often use the wrong one. 2) Learners sometimes forget this noun takes the masculine oblique/plural pattern like लड़का (ladkaa) -- e.g. भतीजे को (bhatiije ko, 'to the nephew') -- not an invariant form.
Sample Sentences:
यह मेरा भतीजा है। This is my nephew.
(yah meraa bhatiijaa hai।)
Listen: F85
Register: Neutral -- Mood: Indicative -- Tense: Present -- Voice: Active
मेरा भतीजा दिल्ली में पढ़ता है। My nephew studies in Delhi.
(meraa bhatiijaa dillii men padhtaa hai।)
Listen: F85
Register: Neutral -- Mood: Indicative -- Aspect: Habitual -- Tense: Present -- Voice: Active
कल मेरा भतीजा घर आया था। My nephew had come home yesterday.
(kal meraa bhatiijaa ghar aayaa thaa।)
Listen: M85
Register: Casual -- Mood: Indicative -- Aspect: Perfective -- Tense: Past -- Voice: Active
उसका भतीजा अभी बगीचे में खेल रहा है। Her nephew is playing in the garden right now.
(uskaa bhatiijaa abhii bagiiche men khel rahaa hai।)
Listen: M85
Register: Casual -- Mood: Indicative -- Aspect: Continuous -- Tense: Present -- Voice: Active
अगले महीने मेरा भतीजा अमेरिका जाएगा। Next month my nephew will go to America.
(agle mahiine meraa bhatiijaa amerikaa jaaegaa।)
Listen: F85
Register: Neutral -- Mood: Indicative -- Tense: Future -- Voice: Active
भतीजे, यहाँ आओ और अपने दादाजी को नमस्ते करो। Nephew, come here and greet your grandfather.
(bhatiije, yahaan aao aur apne daadaajii ko namaste karo।)
Listen: M85
Register: Casual -- Mood: Imperative -- Voice: Active
अगर मेरा भाई शादी करता, तो अब तक मेरा भतीजा भी होता। If my brother had married, I would have a nephew by now.
(agar meraa bhaaii shaadii kartaa, to ab tak meraa bhatiijaa bhii hotaa।)
Listen: F85
Register: Neutral -- Mood: Counterfactual -- Aspect: Habitual -- Voice: Active
शायद मेरा भतीजा इस साल विदेश पढ़ने जाए। Perhaps my nephew will go abroad to study this year.
(shaayad meraa bhatiijaa is saal videsh padhne jaae।)
Listen: F85
Register: Neutral -- Mood: Subjunctive -- Voice: Active
उनका भतीजा परिवार के व्यापार में उनकी मदद करता है। Their nephew helps them in the family business.
(unkaa bhatiijaa parivaar ke vyaapaar men unkii madad kartaa hai।)
Listen: F85
Register: Formal -- Mood: Indicative -- Aspect: Habitual -- Tense: Present -- Voice: Active
मेरे भतीजे को उपहार भेजा गया। A gift was sent to my nephew.
(mere bhatiije ko upahaar bhejaa gayaa।)
Listen: M85
Register: Formal -- Mood: Indicative -- Aspect: Perfective -- Tense: Past -- Voice: Passive
भतीजा अपने चाचा की विरासत का हकदार माना जाता है। A nephew is considered entitled to his uncle's inheritance.
(bhatiijaa apne chaachaa kii viraasat kaa hakdaar maanaa jaataa hai।)
Listen: F85
Register: Formal -- Mood: Indicative -- Aspect: Habitual -- Tense: Present -- Voice: Passive
Morphology
Noun
(sg.m.direct): भतीजा (bhatiijaa)
(sg.m.oblique): भतीजे (bhatiije)
(pl.m.direct): भतीजे (bhatiije)
(pl.m.oblique): भतीजों (bhatiijon)