Where does “bratva” come from?
bratva (English) comes from Russian братва, from Ukrainian брат, from Proto-Slavic bratrъ, from Proto-Balto-Slavic brā́ˀtē, from Proto-Indo-European bʰréh₂tēr — brother.
bratva (English): A Russian organized crime syndicate/family;...
Definitions
- A Russian organized crime syndicate/family;...
Ancestry of “bratva”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Russian | братва | brotherhood (referring to criminal gangs in Russia and other ex-USSR states, especially those involved in organized crime); Russian mafia |
| 2 | Ukrainian | брат | brother; pal, mate |
| 3 | Proto-Slavic | bratrъ | brother |
| 4 | Proto-Balto-Slavic | brā́ˀtē | brother |
| 5 | Proto-Indo-European | bʰréh₂tēr | brother |