bróðir
[ˈprouːðɪr]
The English word 'brother' is bróðir in Icelandic. If unsure, use bróðir. Wiktionary also lists brói.
Meaning: male sibling (noun)
Ways to say it
| Icelandic | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| bróðir | [ˈprouːðɪr] (narrow) | |
| brói | [ˈprouːɪ] (narrow) | colloquial, masculine |
The word refers to a male sibling.
Which one should you use?
While bróðir is the standard term, brói is a shorter, colloquial version used similarly to the English 'bro'.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
brói is a colloquialism.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun bróðir changes its stem to bróður when used in the accusative or dative cases. The plural form of bróðir is bræður, and the genitive plural form is bræðra.
Did you know?
- In ancient Norse tradition, a blóðbróðir or 'blood brother' was a person who entered a ritual pact to become a brother through a symbolic exchange of blood.
- In the Icelandic Sagas, the bond between bræður often involves a complex social code of loyalty that can override loyalty to one's own parents.
- Icelanders often use the term bróðir metaphorically to describe a very close friend or a comrade in arms, similar to 'brother-in-arms'.
Examples in context
- Bróðir minn er enn sofandi.My brother is still sleeping.This sentence shows how to use bróðir to talk about a brother sleeping.Tatoeba #3997496 by Bergthor, translation #278549 by CK
- Er bróðir þinn yngri en þú?Is your brother younger than you?This sentence uses bróðir to ask about a brother's age.Tatoeba #10609448 by nipbud, translation #10609449 by nipbud
- Hvar er bróðir þinn?Where is your brother?This sentence uses bróðir to ask about a brother's location.Tatoeba #873786 by Swift, translation #873552 by ColinG
- Þetta er bróðir minnThis is my brother
- Hvar er bróðirinn minn?Where is my brother?
- 26 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
At a family gathering in a living room.
- ÓlafurErtu með bróður þinn hjá þér?Is your brother with you?
- GuðrúnNei, bróðir minn er ekki hér.No, my brother is not here.
- ÓlafurHvað gerir bróðir þinn í dag?What is your brother doing today?
- GuðrúnHann er að vinna í borginni.He is working in the city.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “brother” translations and entries bróðir, brói, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
