The most common and direct way to say 'brother' in French is frère. But what about your brother-in-law, your step-brother, or even the close friend who feels like a brother? The French language, rich in nuance and affection, offers a variety of terms to describe these important relationships. Whether you're talking about your actual sibling or your 'bro' from another mother, knowing the right word can add a touch of authenticity to your conversations. Let's dive into the different ways you can refer to a 'brother' in French!

1. The standard 'brother' – frère

The standard word for 'brother' in French is frère.

Frère is the most direct and universally understood term for a male sibling. It's the go-to word you'll use in almost any situation, from casual conversation to formal documents.

The word is masculine and follows standard pluralization rules:

• un frère - a brother
• des frères - brothers

Unlike in English where 'big brother' and 'little brother' are common, French uses adjectives to specify age. To talk about an older or younger brother, you would say:

• mon grand frère - my big/older brother
• mon petit frère - my little/younger brother

The term frère can also be part of compound nouns for other male family members, like demi-frère (half-brother) and beau-frère (brother-in-law). Informally, it can be used like 'bro' in English to address a close male friend.

Frère also carries a figurative meaning of camaraderie or solidarity, as seen in the French national motto Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité (Liberty, Equality, Fraternity/Brotherhood) or in the term frères d'armes (brothers in arms).

💡 * Mon frère habite à Paris. (My brother lives in Paris.)

• J'ai deux frères et une sœur. (I have two brothers and one sister.)
• C'est mon petit frère, il a dix ans. (That's my little brother, he is ten years old.)
• On est comme des frères, lui et moi. (He and I are like brothers.)
• Salut mon frère, comment ça va ? (Hey bro, how's it going?)

The affectionate 'bro' or 'little bro' – frérot

A common term of endearment you'll hear in France, especially among men, is frérot. This word is the key to sounding more like a native and understanding informal, friendly conversations.

Literally, frérot is a diminutive of frère (brother). The -ot suffix is often used in French to create affectionate or smaller versions of words. However, its use goes far beyond just referring to a younger brother.

You can absolutely use frérot to talk to or about your own brother, regardless of his age. Calling your older brother frérot is a common way to show affection and a close, informal bond. It's the equivalent of calling him “bro” or “little bro” playfully.

More importantly, frérot is extremely common between close male friends. It signifies a bond that is like family. When a French guy calls his friend frérot, he is essentially saying, “You’re like a brother to me.” It’s a strong sign of camaraderie and trust.

This term is decidedly informal and part of spoken French. You wouldn't use it in a formal email or with someone you've just met. Its usage signals a relaxed, friendly, and familiar relationship. It's a quick way to establish a warm and brotherly tone in a conversation.

💡 * Salut frérot, comment tu vas ? (Hey bro, how are you?)

• T'inquiète pas frérot, on va trouver une solution. (Don't worry, bro, we'll find a solution.)
• C'est mon frérot, je le connais depuis l'école primaire. (That's my bro, I've known him since elementary school.)
• Mon frérot vient me rendre visite ce week-end. (My little brother is coming to visit me this weekend.)

The familiar 'bro' – frangin

If you're looking for an informal, affectionate way to say 'brother' in French, similar to 'bro' in English, frangin is the perfect word.

Frangin is a slang term for frère (brother). It belongs to the familier (informal) register of French, so you'll hear it in casual conversations among friends and family, but not in formal writing or situations.

This term has both masculine and feminine forms: frangin is for a brother, and frangine is the equivalent for a sister (sœur), much like 'sis'. The plurals are frangins (brothers or a mixed group) and frangines (sisters).

You would use frangin or frangine to show a close, casual bond. It can be used to refer to your own sibling or even a very close friend who feels like a brother or sister.

While very common, it's best to stick to using frère and sœur in more formal contexts or when talking to people you don't know well. Save frangin and frangine for your inner circle!

💡 * Mon frangin arrive ce soir pour le week-end. (My bro is arriving tonight for the weekend.)

• Qu'est-ce que tu fais, frangin ? (What are you up to, bro?)
• Je vais au cinéma avec ma frangine. (I'm going to the movies with my sis.)
• Mes frangins sont tous les deux plus âgés que moi. (My brothers are both older than me.)

The 'half-brother' – demi-frère

The 'half-brother' – demi-frère

Demi-frère is the direct French term for 'half-brother.' It's a compound noun created by joining demi (meaning 'half') and frère (meaning 'brother'). This term is used to describe a male sibling with whom you share only one biological parent.

To form the plural, you add an 's' only to the second part of the word, making it demi-frères. The first part, demi, is invariable and does not change.

The corresponding term for a 'half-sister' follows the exact same pattern: demi-sœur (demi + sœur, meaning 'sister').

💡 * Mon demi-frère habite à Paris. (My half-brother lives in Paris.)

• J'ai deux demi-frères du côté de mon père. (I have two half-brothers on my father's side.)
• Il s'entend très bien avec son demi-frère. (He gets along very well with his half-brother.)
• Mes demi-frères viennent nous rendre visite ce week-end. (My half-brothers are coming to visit us this weekend.)

The 'brother-in-law' or 'stepbrother' – beau-frère

The 'brother-in-law' or 'stepbrother' – beau-frère

Beau-frère is a French term for a male relative that covers two distinct relationships: your brother-in-law (your spouse's brother or your sibling's husband) and your stepbrother (the son of your stepparent from another marriage).

Literally translating to 'beautiful brother,' the term uses the prefix beau- (beautiful/handsome) to signify a relationship by marriage or remarriage, not by blood. This is a common pattern in French for in-law and step-family members (e.g., belle-sœur for sister-in-law/stepsister).

Since one word serves two roles, the exact meaning of beau-frère is determined by the context of the conversation. Listeners can usually tell if the speaker is referring to their spouse's family or their parent's blended family.

The plural form is beaux-frères. Note that both parts of the compound word change to become plural: beau becomes beaux and frère becomes frères.

💡 * Mon beau-frère, le mari de ma sœur, vient dîner ce soir. (My brother-in-law, my sister's husband, is coming for dinner tonight.)

• Je m'entends très bien avec mon beau-frère, le fils de ma belle-mère. (I get along very well with my stepbrother, my stepmother's son.)
• Le frère de ma femme est mon beau-frère préféré. (My wife's brother is my favorite brother-in-law.)
• Mes deux beaux-frères seront au mariage. (My two brothers-in-law/stepbrothers will be at the wedding.)

The Verlan (slang) 'bro' – reuf

To dive deeper into authentic French slang, you'll encounter reuf. This term is the Verlan version of frère and is another popular way to say 'bro' among close friends.

Reuf is a product of Verlan, a form of French slang where the syllables of a word are inverted. The word frère (brother) is reversed to become re-frè, which is then colloquially shortened to reuf. This linguistic trick is common in youth and street culture.

Similar to frérot, reuf is primarily used by young people, especially in urban areas and the banlieues. It signifies a strong, brotherly bond between friends. You'll frequently hear it in French rap music and films, where it establishes an authentic, informal tone.

Because it's deep slang, reuf is a word you should learn to recognize rather than use immediately. It implies a high level of familiarity and cultural integration. Using it inappropriately could sound awkward or like you're trying too hard. Stick to recognizing it until you're comfortable with the social dynamics of your French-speaking friends.

💡 *Wesh mon reuf, ça dit quoi ? (Yo my bro, what's up?)
*C'est pas mon pote, c'est mon reuf. (He's not my pal, he's my bro.)
T'inquiète pas pour ça, le reuf gère. (Don't worry about it, the bro's got it handled.)

The modern slang 'bro' (from Arabic) – khey

The word khey is a popular, modern French slang term that directly translates to “bro” or “dude” in English. It’s an informal and friendly way to address a male friend, commonly used by young people.

This term comes from the Arabic word khoya (خويا), which means “my brother.” It gained popularity in France, particularly through internet forums and youth culture, and is now a staple of informal spoken French.

Khey is strictly masculine and informal. You would use it in casual conversations, text messages, or on social media with friends, but never in a formal or professional setting. It signifies a close, brotherly bond.

💡 Wesh khey, ça va ou quoi ? (Yo bro, what's up?)
T'inquiète khey, je m'en occupe. (Don't worry bro, I'll take care of it.)
C'est un bon khey, tu peux lui faire confiance. (He's a good bro, you can trust him.)

The 'blood brother' (for a very close friend) – frère de sang

The “blood brother” – frère de sang

Literally translating to “brother of blood,” frère de sang is a powerful and deeply meaningful term for a male friend with whom you share an unbreakable bond. It signifies a connection that is as strong as family, implying immense loyalty and shared history.

This is a metaphorical expression, not a literal one. It elevates a friendship to the level of brotherhood. You use it for someone who is not your biological brother but who you consider to be one in spirit and heart. The female equivalent is sœur de sang (blood sister).

Because of its intensity, frère de sang is not used casually. It is reserved for a very close, lifelong friend—someone you have been through significant life events with and can count on unconditionally.

💡 Ce n'est pas mon cousin, c'est mon frère de sang. (He's not my cousin, he's my blood brother.)
Je ferais n'importe quoi pour lui, c'est mon frère de sang. (I would do anything for him, he is my blood brother.)
On a grandi ensemble, on est comme des frères de sang. (We grew up together, we are like blood brothers.)

The 'brother in arms' (comrade) – frère d'armes

The phrase frère d'armes literally translates to 'brother of arms.' Its origin is deeply rooted in a military context, used to describe soldiers who have fought side-by-side. It signifies a profound bond forged through the shared dangers and experiences of combat, implying unwavering trust and loyalty.

Beyond the battlefield, frère d'armes is used figuratively to describe a very close comrade with whom one has faced and overcome significant challenges. This can apply to various contexts like business, politics, or any intense collaborative effort. The essence is a partnership solidified by mutual struggle and support.

This is a powerful and rather formal expression. You would not use frère d'armes to describe a casual friend. It carries a connotation of deep respect, shared history, and a bond that has been tested by adversity, making it much stronger than a simple friendship.

💡 Après la guerre, il a gardé le contact avec ses frères d'armes.
Les deux entrepreneurs sont devenus des frères d'armes en surmontant la crise économique.
Il a perdu son plus fidèle frère d'armes lors de cette mission.
Face à l'adversité, mon collègue a été un véritable frère d'armes.

Are there other ways to say 'brother' in French?

Are there other ways to say “brother” in French?

This list covers the most common and essential ways to say “brother” in French. However, the French language is rich with slang, regional variations, and affectionate terms that you might encounter. Language is always evolving, so new expressions pop up all the time, especially among younger generations.

To dive deeper, you can search online for terms like 'argot pour frère' (slang for brother) or 'comment dire frère en verlan'. This can introduce you to more informal and modern ways of speaking.

You might discover some interesting synonyms for frère this way. Remember to always check the context and connotation of a new word. Slang terms, in particular, can be very specific to certain social groups or situations.

The best way to learn these nuances is through immersion. Pay close attention when you watch French films, listen to French music, or talk with native speakers. You'll start to notice how different words for 'brother' are used in real life.

If you want to explore related concepts like 'brotherhood' or other family-related vocabulary, the WordReference entry for 'frère' is an excellent starting point for more formal and idiomatic expressions.

I hope this guide has been helpful on your French learning journey. To conclude, here is a beautiful quote from French dramatist Jean-Baptiste Legouvé that perfectly captures the sentiment: Un frère est un ami donné par la nature. (A brother is a friend given by nature.)