Where does “братва” come from?

братва (Russian) comes from Ukrainian брат, from Proto-Slavic bratrъ, from Proto-Balto-Slavic brā́ˀtē, from Proto-Indo-European bʰréh₂tēr — brother.

братва (Russian): brotherhood (referring to criminal gangs in Russia and other ex-USSR states, especially those involved in organized crime); Russian mafia

Definitions

  1. brotherhood (referring to criminal gangs in Russia and other ex-USSR states, especially those involved in organized crime); Russian mafia

Ancestry of “братва”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Ukrainianбратbrother; pal, mate
2Proto-Slavicbratrъbrother
3Proto-Balto-Slavicbrā́ˀtēbrother
4Proto-Indo-Europeanbʰréh₂tērbrother

Words derived from “братва”

Every word from Proto-Indo-European bʰréh₂tēr →Every word from Proto-Balto-Slavic brā́ˀtē →Every word from Proto-Slavic bratrъ →