Bedeutung
A sibling who is older than oneself.
Kultureller Hintergrund
In villages, the 'frate mai mare' often inherited the responsibility of the household if the father passed away, a concept known as 'capul familiei' (head of the family). The older brother is often the first choice to be a 'naș' (godparent) for the younger siblings' children, cementing a lifelong bond of spiritual guidance. In cities, 'frate' is often used as 'bro' or 'dude', but adding 'mai mare' immediately restores the literal family meaning or a high-respect mentorship. Romanian fairy tales often feature three brothers. The 'frate mai mare' and the middle one usually fail the test of character, while the 'mezin' (youngest) succeeds.
Size Matters
Remember: in Romanian, older = bigger (mare) and younger = smaller (mic).
Avoid 'Bătrân'
Never call your brother 'bătrân' unless he's actually an elderly man!
Bedeutung
A sibling who is older than oneself.
Size Matters
Remember: in Romanian, older = bigger (mare) and younger = smaller (mic).
Avoid 'Bătrân'
Never call your brother 'bătrân' unless he's actually an elderly man!
The 'Cel' Trick
Use 'fratele cel mare' to sound more like a native storyteller.
Respect
Using this phrase often implies a level of respect for the sibling's experience.
Teste dich selbst
Complete the sentence with the correct form of 'older brother'.
Eu am un ______ ______ mare.
The standard phrase is 'frate mai mare'.
Which sentence is correct?
How do you say 'My older brothers are here'?
Both 'frați' and 'mari' must be plural.
Match the phrase to the situation.
You are introducing your 30-year-old brother to your friend. You are 20.
Since he is older than you, he is 'mai mare'.
Fill in the missing part of the dialogue.
A: Cine te-a învățat să conduci? B: ______ meu mai mare.
The context implies a male sibling.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Mare vs Bătrân
Aufgabensammlung
4 AufgabenEu am un ______ ______ mare.
The standard phrase is 'frate mai mare'.
How do you say 'My older brothers are here'?
Both 'frați' and 'mari' must be plural.
You are introducing your 30-year-old brother to your friend. You are 20.
Since he is older than you, he is 'mai mare'.
A: Cine te-a învățat să conduci? B: ______ meu mai mare.
The context implies a male sibling.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenYes, it's a common way to describe a male friend who protects or guides you.
The plural is 'frați mai mari'.
It is neutral. It's appropriate for both a dinner with friends and a job interview.
You say 'fratele cel mai mare'.
'Vechi' is for objects (old car, old house). For people, use 'mare'.
Yes. 'Frate mare' just means a brother who is physically large.
Yes, it's correct and sounds slightly more emphatic.
Yes, 'frate-miu ăl mare' is very common in casual speech.
You say 'Am doi frați mai mari'.
Usually, you'd say 'frate vitreg mai mare'.
Verwandte Redewendungen
soră mai mare
similarolder sister
frate mai mic
contrastyounger brother
frate geamăn
similartwin brother
frate vitreg
specialized formstep-brother
văr mai mare
similarolder cousin
