fratello maggiore
/fraˈtɛl.lo madˈd͡ʒo.re/word by word
The English phrase "big brother" is translated into Italian as fratello maggiore.
The phrase is used to describe a brother who is older than another sibling.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of fratello, meaning "brother" and maggiore, meaning "older" or "greater".
Which one should you use?
While fratello maggiore specifies an older brother, you would use fratello minore to refer to a little brother. To refer to a big sister, you replace the noun to say sorella maggiore.
How does it change in a sentence?
To make the phrase plural, both the noun and the adjective must be pluralized, resulting in fratelli maggiori.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /fraˈtɛl.lo madˈdʒo.re/. The word has 5 syllables and the stress is on the 2nd syllable.
Did you know?
- In the Italian version of the TV show 'Big Brother', the title is translated as Grande Fratello instead of Fratello Maggiore.
- The word fratello comes from the Latin frātellus, which was actually a diminutive form of the original word for brother.
- If you want to call someone your 'big brother' in a metaphorical or affectionate way, calling them fratello maggiore might sound too clinical or literal. Often, Italians use the word fratellone to express a sense of closeness or physical bigness.
Examples in context
- Tom ha un fratello maggiore.Tom has a big brother.This sentence shows how to use fratello maggiore to state that someone has a big brother.Tatoeba #13351818 by Guybrush88, translation #10287838 by CK
- Sami aveva un fratello maggiore.Sami had a big brother.This sentence uses fratello maggiore in the past tense to describe someone who had a big brother.Tatoeba #13352056 by Guybrush88, translation #7241903 by OsoHombre
- Sii un fratello maggiore responsabile.Be a responsible big brother.This sentence uses fratello maggiore to provide an instruction to be a responsible big brother.Tatoeba #13352122 by Guybrush88, translation #11882102 by Amastan
- Ciao, fratellone! Sai cosa fare, giusto?Hey, big bro! You know what to do, right?
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Matteo and Giulia are talking about their families in a cafe.
- MatteoHai un fratello maggiore?Do you have a big brother?
- GiuliaSì, ho un fratello maggiore che si chiama Luca.Yes, I have a big brother named Luca.
- MatteoAnche io ho un fratello maggiore.I also have a big brother.
- GiuliaDavvero? È molto più grande di te?Really? Is he much older than you?
Sources
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (fratello, maggiore) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries fratello, maggiore, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
