jüngerer Bruder
The German phrase for "younger brother" is jüngerer Bruder.
If you wish to use more informal or affectionate terms, you might use Kleiner Bruder for "little brother" in a relaxed context or Brüderchen to express a loving way of saying "little brother".
Meaning: single-word translations (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase consists of jüngerer, which is the comparative form of the adjective jung (young) meaning "younger" and Bruder, which means "brother".
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective ending in jüngerer Bruder is -er because it follows a zero article, meaning there is no "the" or "a" preceding it. If the phrase is used as a direct object in a sentence (the accusative case), the form changes to jüngeren Bruder.
Did you know?
- The diminutive form Brüderchen uses the suffix -chen, which automatically makes the word neuter in gender, regardless of the brother's actual gender.
- The term Kleiner Bruder is often used as a fixed expression for a younger brother even after he has grown up and is physically larger than the speaker.
- In German, if you were to use the diminutive Brüderchen to describe a 'younger brother', it can sometimes sound patronizing or overly precious depending on the speaker's tone.
Examples in context
- Wo ist Ihr jüngerer Bruder?Where is your younger brother?This sentence uses jüngerer Bruder to ask about someone's younger brother.Tatoeba #11760804 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #12303704 by sundown
- Er ist mein jüngerer Bruder.He's my younger brother.This sentence uses jüngerer Bruder to identify a younger brother.Tatoeba #652061 by Esperantostern, translation #511852 by CK
- Wo ist dein jüngerer Bruder?Where's your younger brother?This sentence uses jüngerer Bruder to ask about a younger brother.Tatoeba #11760709 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #12303705 by sundown
- Gestatten Sie mir, meinen jüngeren Bruder vorzustellen?May I introduce my younger brother?
- Ich gehe heute Abend mit meinem kleinen Bruder ins Kino.I am going to the movies with my little brother tonight.
- Komm her, Brüderchen, ich helfe dir!Come here, little brother, I'll help you!
- 21 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Felix and Laura are looking at old family photos.
- FelixDas ist mein jüngerer Bruder auf dem Foto.That is my younger brother in the photo.
- LauraWie alt war er da?How old was he then?
- FelixMein jüngerer Bruder war erst drei Jahre alt.My younger brother was only three years old.
- LauraEr sieht dir sehr ähnlich!He looks very similar to you!
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
