μεγάλος αδελφός
megálos adelfós/meˈɣa.los a.ðelˈfos/word by word
The English phrase "big brother" is translated into Greek as μεγάλος αδελφός (megálos adelfós).
This phrase is used to refer to a brother who is older than another sibling.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of μεγάλος, which means big or large and αδελφός, which means brother.
Which one should you use?
To say "little brother" instead, you replace μεγάλος (big) with μικρός (small) to form μικρός αδελφός.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /meˈɣa.los a.ðelˈfos/. It has 5 syllables, and the stress is on the 2nd syllable.
Did you know?
- The word αδελφός literally translates to 'from the same womb', reflecting its ancient roots in the concept of shared biological origin.
- In everyday spoken Greek, people rarely use the formal αδελφός and instead use αδερφός with a softer 'd' sound.
- While μεγάλος αδελφός describes a biological sibling, the word αδελφός is frequently used to describe a close friend or a comrade, similar to 'brother' in English slang.
Examples in context
- Ο μεγάλος αδελφός μου είναι γιατρός.O megalos adelfos mou einai giatros.My big brother is a doctor.
- Ο μεγάλος αδελφός της βοηθάει πάντα.O megalos adelfos tis voithaei panta.Her big brother always helps her.
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about their families at a cafe.
- Δημήτρης DimitrisΈχεις μεγάλο αδελφό;Echeis megalo adelfo;Do you have a big brother?
- Κυριακή KyriakiΝαι, ο μεγάλος αδελφός μου είναι δάσκαλος.Nai, o megalos adelfos mou einai daskalos.Yes, my big brother is a teacher.
- Δημήτρης DimitrisΠόσο μεγαλύτερος είναι από σένα;Poso megalteros einai apo sena;How much older is he than you?
- Κυριακή KyriakiΕίναι τρία χρόνια μεγαλύτερος.Einai tria chronia megalteros.He is three years older.
Sources
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (μεγάλος, αδελφός) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries αδελφός, μεγάλος, CC BY-SA 4.0.
