German word

Brief

Pronunciation

IPA/bʁiːf/

Meaning

  • masculine nounletter

Example

Ich habe viele Briefe im Briefkasten gefunden.

I found many letters in the mailbox.

Illustration for Brief (letter)

More examples

Er öffnete den Brief und las ihn laut vor.

He opened the letter and read it aloud.

Core concept

A written message folded or enclosed for delivery from one person to another, often through the mail.

Common phrases

  • einen Brief öffnen

    open a letter

  • auf einen Brief antworten

    reply to a letter

  • einen Brief zur Post bringen

    take a letter to the post office

Similar words

E-Mail: An electronic letter sent over the internet.
Nachricht: A short written message that gives someone information.
Postkarte: A card mailed with an address and a brief message.

Definition in German

Eine schriftliche Mitteilung, die eine Person an eine andere richtet und häufig per Post versandt wird.

Word origin

Brief comes through Middle High German brieve from Latin breve, a shortened form meaning a short written document.

Usage tips

  • Brief is masculine, so the forms are der Brief, einen Brief, and die Briefe, not an English-style plural Briefs.

Related words

  • Briefwechselcorrespondencenoun
  • Brieffreundpen palnoun
  • Briefumschlagenvelopenoun

Word lists with this word