The spelling of the word "bratkowski" may seem daunting at first glance, but it can be broken down using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA). Starting with the first syllable, we have "brah" (brʌ), followed by "tuh" (tʌ), and ending with "kovski" (kɒfski). Thus, the complete IPA transcription is [brʌtʌkɒfski]. Like many surnames, it is likely that "bratkowski" originated from a combination of different words or elements from various languages or dialects.
The word Bratkowski is a Polish surname derived from the Polish word brat, meaning brother. The suffix -kowski is a common ending in Polish surnames and denotes a connection to a specific place or family. Therefore, Bratkowski can be roughly translated as belonging to the family of brothers or belonging to the brother's place.