How to Say "Brother-in-law" in French

beau-frère

/bo.fʁɛʁ/

The French word for brother-in-law is beau-frère.

Beau-frère refers to either the brother of one's spouse or the husband of one's sibling.

What does it mean word for word?

The term is composed of beau, meaning handsome or beautiful and frère, meaning brother.

The plural form of beau-frère is beaux-frères.

/bo.fʁɛʁ/. It has 2 syllables.

While English distinguishes between 'brother-in-law' and 'step-brother', French uses beau-frère for both roles in many everyday contexts.
In some very formal or legal French contexts, you might see 'allié' used to describe the relationship created by marriage, rather than just the specific term beau-frère.
In historical legal texts, beau-frère was sometimes used to describe the relationship between two men who married sisters, though this is rare in modern conversation.

J'aimerais vous présenter mon beau-frère, Pierre.
I would like to introduce my brother-in-law, Pierre.
Mon beau-frère est médecin.
My brother-in-law is a doctor.
Le frère de mon conjoint est un homme charmant.
The brother of my spouse is a charming man.
Que pense le frère de votre conjoint de cette situation?
What does your spouse's brother think of this situation?
Mon beau-frère est très sympathique.
My brother-in-law is very nice.
Je vais dîner avec mon beau-frère.
I am going to have dinner with my brother-in-law.
Ton beau-frère habite à Lyon ?
Does your brother-in-law live in Lyon?

Hugo and Manon are talking about family members during a coffee break.

Hugo

Est-ce que tu vois souvent ton beau-frère ?
Do you see your brother-in-law often?
Manon

Oui, il est mon meilleur ami.
Yes, he is my best friend.
Hugo

C'est super d'avoir un beau-frère comme ça.
It is great to have a brother-in-law like that.
Manon

C'est vrai, nous nous entendons très bien.
It's true, we get along very well.

Sources

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