Ways to say it
| Russian | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| брат | brat | [brat] (narrow) | masculine |
| бра́тец | brátec | colloquial, masculine | |
| брати́шка | bratíška | colloquial, masculine | |
| брата́н | bratán | masculine, slang |
The primary way to refer to a male sibling is using the term брат.
Which one should you use?
While брат is the standard term, other forms exist for different social nuances. брати́шка is an endearing diminutive often used for a younger or beloved brother. бра́тец is also a diminutive, but it can occasionally sound condescending or overly familiar depending on the context. брата́н is a highly informal slang term, and братуха is an informal term used to express warmth and camaraderie among friends.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
брат is the most common and widely used formal term. In contrast, брати́шка is a colloquial, endearing way to address a younger brother. бра́тец is colloquial and can be overly familiar. For very informal settings, брата́н functions as slang often used among close male friends or in street slang and братуха is used informally among friends to show camaraderie.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun changes based on its role in a sentence. For example, when брат is the direct object of a verb, it changes to the accusative form брата.
How do you pronounce it?
brat
When do people say it?
In many social circles, terms like брата́н or братуха are used as affectionate ways to address a brother or a very close friend, acting similarly to the English 'bro'.
Did you know?
- The English word 'pal' is a distant relative of the Russian брат, both tracing back to the same ancient Proto-Indo-European root.
- While брати́шка is an endearing term for a younger brother, using it to address a stranger or a superior can be perceived as a provocative or mocking gesture.
- The term брат appears in the title of one of Russia's most influential crime films, 'Brat', which defined the aesthetic and slang of the 1990s for a whole generation.
Examples in context
- Том – её брат.Tom is her brother.This sentence shows how to identify someone as a brother using брат.Tatoeba #3043207 by marafon, translation #2590077 by CM
- Я не ваш брат.I'm not your brother.This sentence uses the negative form of the verb with брат.Tatoeba #11684855 by marafon, translation #2547695 by CK
- Али – мой брат.Ali is my brother.This sentence demonstrates a simple possessive relationship using брат.Tatoeba #3457146 by Selena777, translation #566755 by zaman_rasikh
- Мой брат умеет играть на гитаре.My brother knows how to play the guitar.
- Братан, поздравляю с днём рождения!Bro, happy birthday!
- Как дела, братишка?How are you doing, bro?
- Только что видел твоего братуху, он выглядит счастливым.Just saw your bro, he looks happy.
- 2057 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Ekaterina is showing a photo to Dmitry.
- Екатерина EkaterinaЭто мой старший брат.Eto moy starshiy brat.This is my older brother.
- Дмитрий DmitryОн очень похож на тебя.On ochen' pokhozh na tebya.He looks very much like you.
- Екатерина EkaterinaДа, и он живёт в Москве.Da, i on zhivyot v Moskve.Yes, and he lives in Moscow.
- Дмитрий DmitryЗдорово, что у тебя есть брат.Zdorovo, chto u tebya yest' brat.It's great that you have a brother.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “brother” translations and entries брат, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries брат, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
