Ways to say it
| Dutch | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| broer | /brur/ | masculine |
| broeder | /ˈbrudər/ | formal, masculine |
Broer is the standard term for a male sibling. You may also encounter the term Bro, which is a borrowed word used by some Dutch speakers, particularly among the younger generation, to refer to their brother. For expressions of affection, you can use Lieve broer to mean "Dear brother" or the nickname Broederlief which means "Brother dear".
What does it mean word for word?
To create the diminutive form broertje, which means "little brother", the suffix -tje is added to the root. This form is used to convey an affectionate or playful tone.
Which one should you use?
While broer is the standard word, broeder is a more formal or archaic version. It is typically found in very formal literature or specifically within religious contexts, such as when referring to a monastic brother or members of a religious brotherhood.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Broer is the common, everyday way to say brother. In contrast, broeder is a formal term. For a more casual or youthful style, some speakers use the borrowed term Bro.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural of broer is broers. As noted in the breakdown, adding the diminutive suffix -tje to broer creates the word broertje.
How do you pronounce it?
/brur/
When do people say it?
In Dutch, the formal term broeder is most commonly used when addressing priests or members of a religious brotherhood.
Did you know?
- The diminutive broertje is not only used for a biological younger brother. It can be used to describe an older brother when the speaker wants to be playful or endearing.
- The word broer is actually a shortened version of broeder. Over time the 'd' sound in the middle of the word disappeared through a linguistic process called syncope.
- The term broederschap describes a 'brotherhood' and is frequently used in Dutch to describe tight-knit social movements or secret societies.
Examples in context
- Wie is je broer?Who is your brother?This sentence is useful for asking who someone's broer is.Tatoeba #5029998 by LinguisticFusion, translation #2647280 by CK
- Tom is je broer.Tom is your brother.This sentence is useful for identifying someone as your broer.Tatoeba #5992650 by PaulP, translation #2273644 by CK
- Is dat uw broer?Is that your brother?This sentence is useful for asking if a person is someone's broer using a formal address.Tatoeba #7455477 by MarijnKp, translation #7453375 by CK
- Lieve broer, ik ben enorm blij dat ik jou als mijn broer heb.Dear brother, I'm so grateful to have you as my brother.
- 495 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Daan and Sophie are talking about their family at a cafe.
- DaanHeb je een broer?Do you have a brother?
- SophieJa, ik heb één broer.Yes, I have one brother.
- DaanIs je broer jonger dan jij?Is your brother younger than you?
- SophieNee, hij is veel ouder.No, he is much older.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “brother” translations and entries broer, broeder, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries broeder, broer, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
