frère
/fʁɛʁ/masculine
The English word 'brother' is translated into French as frère.
frère is a masculine noun used to refer to a male sibling. You can use the term cadet to specifically indicate that the brother is a younger sibling.
Meaning: male sibling (noun)
Which one should you use?
While English speakers might use 'brother' as a direct address to a friend, using frère in this way in French is highly colloquial and often carries a slang or 'street' connotation.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of frère is frères.
How do you pronounce it?
/fʁɛʁ/
Did you know?
- The word fraternité comes from the same root as frère and is one of the three core values of the French Republic, appearing on the national motto.
- While cadet means younger brother, the word aîné is used specifically to denote the eldest sibling.
- The term frère de cœur is a common way to describe a 'brother from another mother' or a very close, non-biological friend.
Examples in context
- Tu es mon frère.You are my brother.This sentence is useful for stating that someone is your frère.Tatoeba #5750247 by Petrus, translation #5749935 by Catriona
- As-tu un frère ?Do you have a brother?This sentence is useful for asking if someone has a frère.Tatoeba #7315792 by felix63, translation #2646633 by CK
- Je suis ton frère.I'm your brother.This sentence is useful for identifying yourself as someone's frère.Tatoeba #2487457 by Aiji, translation #1977902 by Balamax
- Mon frèremy brother
- Votre frèreyour brother
- Mon frère aînémy older brother
- C'est mon poteHe's my buddy or He's my brother-like friend
- Je vais voir mon frère ce week-end.I'm going to see my brother this weekend.
- Mon frère cadet est encore à l'école.My younger brother is still in school.
- 1005 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Léa and Nathan are talking about their families.
- LéaEst-ce que tu as un frère ?Do you have a brother?
- NathanOui, j'ai un frère cadet.Yes, I have a younger brother.
- LéaComment s'appelle ton frère ?What is your brother's name?
- NathanIl s'appelle Lucas.His name is Lucas.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “brother” translations and entries frère, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
