ich habe einen Bruder
The English phrase 'I have a brother' is translated into German as ich habe einen Bruder.
This phrase is used to state that you have a male sibling. If you wish to speak about a sister instead, you would change the masculine form to the feminine 'eine Schwester'.
Which one should you use?
While ich habe einen Bruder is the standard form, you may encounter variations in spoken or regional contexts. To express the plural 'I have brothers', the phrase changes to ich habe Brüder.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In the Berlin dialect, the word 'ich' can be expressed as 'ick', leading to the form Ick habe 'nen Bruda.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase uses the accusative case because Bruder is the direct object of the verb haben.
Did you know?
- The word Bruder is used in the German expression Bruderherz, a sentimental term of endearment that literally translates to 'brother heart'.
- In Germany, the term Bruder is often used as a slang term of endearment for a close male friend, regardless of biological relation.
- The word Bruder shares a common ancient ancestor with the English word 'brother' and the Latin word 'frater'.
Examples in context
- Ich habe einen Bruder in Boston.I have a brother in Boston.This sentence is useful for specifying the location of your brother using the form ich habe einen Bruder.Tatoeba #6644350 by Felixjp, translation #5215297 by CK
- Ich habe einen Bruder namens Tom.I have a brother named Tom.This sentence is useful for providing the name of your brother using the form ich habe einen Bruder.Tatoeba #8056609 by Luiaard, translation #6665200 by CK
- Ich habe einen Bruder in eurem Alter.I have a brother your age.This sentence is useful for describing your brother's age relative to the listener using the form ich habe einen Bruder.Tatoeba #13852677 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #12074727 by CK
- 6 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Felix and Hannah are talking about their families at a cafe.
- FelixHast du Geschwister?Do you have any siblings?
- HannahJa, ich habe einen Bruder.Yes, I have a brother.
- FelixIch habe auch einen Bruder.I have a brother too.
- HannahWie alt ist er?How old is he?
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Bruder, ich, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
