French · People & Family
"Brother" in French: frère
le frère
Brother in French is le frère, masculine, said FRAIR. Mon frère is my brother. Frères et sœurs means siblings. A close friend may be called mon frère informally, but start with the family meaning.
Introducing family
Voici mon frère, il s'appelle Hugo.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce frère
Say it
FRAIR
/fʁɛʁ/
FRAIR. The ê is open. Soft French r. One syllable for many speakers; do not add an English "er" ending.
"Brother" in French: quick reference
| French | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| le frère | the brother Basic family noun. | Basic family noun. |
| mon frère | my brother Possessive with masculine frère. | Possessive with masculine frère. |
| grand frère / petit frère | big brother / little brother Age within the family. | Age within the family. |
| frères et sœurs | siblings Brothers and sisters together. | Brothers and sisters together. |
How to use frère in real life
- 1Introducing family
Voici mon frère, il s'appelle Hugo.
This is my brother; his name is Hugo.
Mon frère even if you are a woman; frère is masculine.
- 2Making plans
Mon frère vient dîner vendredi.
My brother is coming for dinner on Friday.
Simple present for near plans is common.
- 3Comparing ages
Tu es le grand frère, non ?
You're the big brother, right?
Grand frère for the older brother.
Mistakes English speakers make with frère
Incorrect: Ma frère habite à Lyon.
Correct: Mon frère habite à Lyon.
Frère is masculine, so the possessive is mon, not ma.
Incorrect: Mes brothers arrivent.
Correct: Mes frères arrivent.
Use frères, not English brothers.
Good to know
French forms often ask as-tu des frères et sœurs ? rather than separating the questions. Beau-frère is brother-in-law; demi-frère is half-brother.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Showing family photos on a phone
ChatPal
C'est qui, sur la photo ?
Who's that in the photo?
You
C'est mon frère à la montagne.
That's my brother in the mountains.
ChatPal
Il te ressemble, ton frère.
Your brother looks like you.
You
Tout le monde dit ça !
Everyone says that!
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"Brother" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Brother" in French
How do I say my brother?
Mon frère.
How do I say brothers and sisters?
Frères et sœurs, or mes frères et sœurs.
What is beau-frère?
Brother-in-law.
How do you pronounce frère?
FRAIR, with an open ê and a French r.
Learn a word, then use it out loud
- Step 1: See it in context
- Step 2: Say it out loud
- Step 3: Get feedback
- Step 4: Use it in real scenarios
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