Which one should you use?
While bror is the standard form, you will frequently hear the definite singular form brorsan used as a term of address in casual conversation.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The term bror is a standard noun. However, the form brorsan is a very common, colloquial way to address a friend as "bro" or "the brother". If you want a versatile informal term for a buddy or mate, you can also use kompis.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In the Stockholm area, the colloquial term snubbe is commonly used to mean "guy" or "dude". In certain parts of the country, particularly in southern Sweden, the informal term gubbe can be used to mean "old man" or "guy".
How does it change in a sentence?
The form brorsan is the definite singular form of bror and is used frequently as a vocative, which is a term used to address someone directly in casual speech.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈbruːr/
Did you know?
- Although 'bro' in English is often a slang shortening, the Swedish bror is the full, standard dictionary word and is not a shortened version of a longer term.
- Using the term bror to address a stranger in a casual setting is heavily influenced by modern urban slang and may sound out of place in a professional or rural environment.
- The English word 'brother' and the Swedish bror are distant linguistic cousins, both descending from the same ancient Proto-Indo-European root.
Examples in context
- Hur är läget, brorsan?What's goin on, bro?This sentence is useful for practicing how to address a friend using the form bror.Tatoeba #11909032 by herrsilen, translation #4486880 by Joseph
- Ey, bror, kom hit!Ey, bro, come [to] here [hither]!This sentence is useful for practicing a casual command using the form bror.
- Tja, polare! Vad har du för planer ikväll?Hey, bro! What are your plans tonight?
- Han är som en bror för mig.He is like a brother to me.
Example conversation
Alice and Oscar are meeting up in the city.
- AliceTja bror, länge sen!Hey bro, long time no see!
- OscarMen tjenare! Hur är det?Hey there! How's it going?
- AliceDet är lugnt. Ska vi gå?It's all good. Shall we go?
- OscarJa, kom igen!Yes, let's go!
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry bror, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bror, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR, Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0.
