fratello maggiore
/fraˈtɛl.lo madˈd͡ʒo.re/word by word
The English phrase "older brother" is translated into Italian as fratello maggiore.
Meaning: single-word translations (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The term is composed of fratello (brother) and maggiore (older/greater).
How does it change in a sentence?
When talking about multiple older brothers, both the noun and the adjective must change to the plural form fratelli maggiori.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /fraˈtɛl.lo madˈdʒo.re/. The word has 5 syllables, with the stress on the 2nd syllable.
Did you know?
- The word fratello is a diminutive form, originally meaning 'little brother' in Latin, even when used to describe a maggiore (older) brother.
- Italian uses fratello to describe monks or members of a religious order, meaning 'brother' in a spiritual sense rather than a biological one.
- While English uses 'elder' and 'older' interchangeably, maggiore can also mean 'major' in the sense of importance, such as a 'major' problem.
Examples in context
- Ha un fratello maggiore.She has an older brother.This sentence shows how to say that a female subject has an older brother using fratello maggiore.Tatoeba #2559411 by Guybrush88, translation #2321090 by Hybrid
- È il mio fratello maggiore.He's my older brother.This sentence is useful for identifying someone as one's own older brother using fratello maggiore.Tatoeba #619808 by Guybrush88, translation #511849 by CK
- Tom ha un fratello maggiore.Tom has one older brother.This sentence demonstrates how to state that a person named Tom has an older brother using fratello maggiore.Tatoeba #13351818 by Guybrush88, translation #10280604 by CK
- 60 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Martina and Francesco are talking about their families.
- MartinaHai un fratello maggiore?Do you have an older brother?
- FrancescoSì, mio fratello maggiore vive a Roma.Yes, my older brother lives in Rome.
- MartinaÈ molto più grande di te?Is he much older than you?
- FrancescoNo, è solo di tre anni.No, he is only three years older.
Sources
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (fratello, maggiore) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries fratello, maggiore, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
