German word

Bruder

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈbʁuːdɐ/

Meaning

  • masculine nounbrother

Example

Sie sind Brüder.

They're brothers.

Illustration for Bruder (brother)

More examples

Kennt dein Bruder das schon?

Does your brother already know that?

Core concept

A male family member stands beside another male family member, with neither person's age determining the relationship.

Common phrases

  • einen Bruder haben

    have a brother

  • dein Bruder

    your brother

  • unser Bruder

    our brother

Similar words

Schwester: A female sibling from the same family.
Geschwister: Children who share one or both parents.
Cousin: A male relative who is the child of an aunt or uncle.
Verwandter: A relative connected by blood or marriage.

Definition in German

Bruder bezeichnet einen männlichen Angehörigen derselben Familie, egal ob älter oder jünger.

Word origin

German Bruder continues Old High German bruoder and Proto-Germanic *broþēr, and it is related to English brother and Dutch broeder.

Usage tips

  • Bruder is masculine: der Bruder has the plural die Brüder, with an umlaut marking the vowel change.

Opposites

Related words

  • brüderlichfraternaladjective
  • Halbbruderhalf-brothernoun

Word lists with this word