French word

frère

Pronunciation

IPA/fʁɛʁ/

Meaning

  • masculine nounbrother

Example

Mon frère habite à Paris.

My brother lives in Paris.

Illustration for frère (brother)

More examples

Je vais voir mon frère ce week-end.

I am going to see my brother this weekend.

Core concept

A male figure linked to others by family ties, close fellowship, or a shared cause.

Common phrases

  • mon frère

    my brother

  • avoir un frère

    have a brother

  • grand frère

    older brother

Similar words

sœur: A female sibling who shares both parents.
beau-frère: A male sibling related through a spouse or through marriage.
demi-frère: A male sibling who shares only one parent.
frangin: An informal term for a brother.

Definition in French

Personne de sexe masculin liée par la parenté; au sens figuré, homme considéré comme proche ou compagnon.

Word origin

Frère is inherited from Latin frater through Old French frere, with the modern accent and spelling developing in French.

Usage tips

  • Grand frère and petit frère specify an older or younger brother, which French often states explicitly when the age difference matters.

Other meanings

  • monknoun

Related words

  • fraternelfraternaladjective
  • fraternitéfraternitynoun
  • fraternellementfraternallyadverb

Word lists with this word