petit frère
The English phrase 'baby brother' is translated into French as petit frère.
petit frère refers to a brother who is younger than the speaker or another person. While English speakers often use 'baby brother' to imply the brother is an infant or a very young child, the French term is used for any brother who is younger than you, regardless of whether he is an infant or a child.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase petit frère literally translates to 'little brother'.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In the Caribbean islands, the term ti frère is used to address a baby brother.
When do people say it?
You can use the endearing term mon trésor (my treasure) when speaking to or about a baby brother.
Did you know?
- While petit frère is used for siblings, the word frère is also used as a slang term for a close friend or peer, similar to 'bro' in English.
- In some French-speaking contexts, frère is used in the phrase mon frère d'armes to describe a comrade in battle rather than a blood relative.
- In religious contexts, a monk is referred to as a frère, regardless of whether he has a biological petit frère.
Examples in context
- J'ai mangé avec mon petit frère.I ate with my baby brother.This sentence is useful for showing how to use petit frère in a sentence about eating.Tatoeba #1126785 by sacredceltic, translation #1126776 by CK
- Mon petit frère mouille encore son lit.My baby brother still wets his bed.This sentence shows how to use petit frère when describing a habit.Tatoeba #5105412 by gege_veggie, translation #686938 by ulyssemc1
- Mon tout petit frère dort dix heures par jour.My baby brother sleeps ten hours a day.This sentence demonstrates how to use petit frère when discussing sleep patterns.Tatoeba #458673 by sacredceltic, translation #251215 by CK
- Je suis l'aîné, et lui, c'est mon petit frère.I am the oldest, and he is my baby brother.
- Mon petit frère est tellement mignon.My baby brother is so cute.
Example conversation
Chloé and Gabriel are looking at a family photo.
- ChloéQui est ce petit frère sur la photo ?Who is this baby brother in the photo?
- GabrielC'est mon petit frère, il a deux ans.It's my baby brother, he is two years old.
- ChloéIl est vraiment mignon !He is really cute!
- GabrielMerci, il est très calme.Thanks, he is very calm.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
