Braty

Braty is a transliteration that may be encountered in discussions of Slavic languages, particularly Russian. It is not an English word with a fixed meaning, but rather a rendering of a foreign term in Latin letters. In standard Russian orthography the corresponding word is братья, the plural form meaning “brothers.”

Etymology and form: The root word is the Slavic noun brat meaning “brother.” In Russian, the plural братья reflects a historic sound change and irregular plural formation. Transliterations vary, with common forms including brat’ya, bratya, or braty, depending on the transliteration system and the level of formality. The form braty without diacritical marks or apostrophes often appears in informal texts or digital input.

Usage and sense: In Russian and in contexts discussing Russian language or culture, братья is used to denote male siblings. It can also function figuratively to refer to close male companions or members of a group who share a bond akin to brotherhood, as in phrases like “brothers in arms” when translated. In English-language materials that render Russian terms, braty may appear as a transliteration variant, but it is not standard English vocabulary.

Cultural context: Because transliteration practices vary, you may encounter braty in translations, glossaries, or linguistic discussions. For reliable references, it can be helpful to cross-check with the original Cyrillic братья or with transliterations brat’ya or bratya.

Related terms: See also brat (singular form meaning “brother” in Russian and several other Slavic languages) and the concept of brotherhood in Slavic languages.