In 15 Seconds
- Taking your brother out for a social event or fun activity.
- Used casually with friends to introduce or include a sibling.
- Reflects strong French family bonds and inclusive social habits.
Meaning
This phrase describes the act of taking your brother out for a social activity or introducing him to your circle of friends. It implies you are showing him a good time or bringing him along to a party or event.
Key Examples
3 of 6Texting a friend about evening plans
Ce soir, je sors le frère en ville !
Tonight, I'm taking the brother out on the town!
Introducing him at a party
J'ai sorti le frère pour qu'il rencontre tout le monde.
I brought the brother out so he could meet everyone.
Planning a birthday treat
C'est son anniversaire, alors je sors mon frère au restaurant.
It's his birthday, so I'm taking my brother to a restaurant.
Cultural Background
In cities like Paris or Lyon, 'sortir le frère' often means taking him to a specific 'quartier' known for nightlife, like Bastille or Le Marais. In Quebec, the verb 'sortir' is used similarly, but you might also hear 'sortir avec mon frère' more frequently for general activities. The term 'le frère' or 'le frérot' is often used for very close friends, and 'sortir le frère' can mean taking your 'best mate' out. In smaller villages, 'sortir le frère' might refer to taking him to a local 'fête de village' or a communal dinner.
Use 'le' for a cool vibe
Saying 'le frère' instead of 'mon frère' makes you sound more like a native speaker in casual settings.
Watch the auxiliary!
Remember: 'J'ai sorti' (I took out) vs 'Je suis sorti' (I went out).
In 15 Seconds
- Taking your brother out for a social event or fun activity.
- Used casually with friends to introduce or include a sibling.
- Reflects strong French family bonds and inclusive social habits.
What It Means
Imagine your brother is visiting you for the weekend. You want him to see your favorite local spots. You decide to sortir le frère. This means you are taking him to a cafe, a bar, or a party. It is a friendly way to say you are including him in your plans. You are essentially acting as his social guide. It shows a nice bond between siblings. You are proud to show him off to your friends.
How To Use It
You will need to conjugate the verb sortir. For yourself, you say je sors. If you are talking about a past event, use j'ai sorti. You can use le frère to sound a bit humorous or generic. However, most people will say mon frère to be specific. The structure is very simple and follows a basic subject-verb-object pattern. It is perfect for someone at the A1 level. You don't need complex grammar to make this work. Just pick a destination and go!
When To Use It
Use this when you are texting your friends about your evening plans. It is great for casual Friday nights. Use it at a restaurant when the waiter asks who your guest is. It works well for family reunions too. If you are at a club and your brother is with you, this is the phrase. It feels warm and inclusive. It tells people that family is important to you. You can even use it when you are just going for a walk in the park.
When NOT To Use It
Avoid using this in a very formal business meeting. If your brother is your business partner, use his name instead. It might sound a bit too casual for a corporate presentation. Also, do not use it if the person is not actually your brother. Unless you are using 'bro' slang, it might be confusing. If you are in a very serious or somber situation, keep it simple. Don't use it if you are actually 'taking him out' in a mean way! In French, sortir is usually positive, but context matters.
Cultural Background
Family is the heart of French social life. It is very common for adult siblings to hang out together. You will often see brothers and sisters at the same 'apéro'. French people love to integrate their family into their friend groups. There is no 'uncool' factor in hanging out with your sibling. In fact, it is seen as a sign of a well-balanced life. The 'frère' isn't just a relative; he is a lifelong friend. This phrase captures that relaxed, Mediterranean sense of community.
Common Variations
You can easily swap the family member. Try sortir la sœur to take your sister out. If you are taking your parents out, say sortir les parents. In slang, some people use le frérot for a closer, cuter vibe. You might also hear sortir avec le frère, which means 'going out with the brother'. Both are very common in daily French conversation. Just remember to match the gender of the person you are taking out!
Usage Notes
This is a neutral-to-informal collocation. It is grammatically simple but carries a warm, social connotation. Be mindful of using 'le' vs 'mon' depending on how much distance or humor you want to convey.
Use 'le' for a cool vibe
Saying 'le frère' instead of 'mon frère' makes you sound more like a native speaker in casual settings.
Watch the auxiliary!
Remember: 'J'ai sorti' (I took out) vs 'Je suis sorti' (I went out).
The 'Frérot' variation
If you really want to sound like a local, use 'le frérot'. It's very affectionate and trendy.
Examples
6Ce soir, je sors le frère en ville !
Tonight, I'm taking the brother out on the town!
Using 'le' instead of 'mon' adds a slightly playful, objective tone.
J'ai sorti le frère pour qu'il rencontre tout le monde.
I brought the brother out so he could meet everyone.
The past tense 'j'ai sorti' shows the action is already happening.
C'est son anniversaire, alors je sors mon frère au restaurant.
It's his birthday, so I'm taking my brother to a restaurant.
More personal use with 'mon' for a special occasion.
Attention, je sors le frère, il est très bavard !
Watch out, I'm bringing the brother out, he's very talkative!
A lighthearted way to prepare friends for his personality.
Je sors juste le frère pour un verre.
I'm just taking the brother out for a drink.
Simple and direct for a common social scenario.
Je vais sortir mon frère pour lui montrer Paris.
I am going to take my brother out to show him Paris.
Uses the near future 'vais sortir' for a planned activity.
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank with the correct form of 'sortir' in the present tense.
Ce soir, je _______ le frère au restaurant.
The subject is 'je', so the verb 'sortir' ends in 's'.
Choose the correct auxiliary verb for the passé composé.
Hier, j'_______ sorti le frère.
When 'sortir' has a direct object (le frère), it uses 'avoir'.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Pourquoi tu ne viens pas à la fête ? B: Parce que je _______ le frère, il est en visite.
'Sors' fits the context of taking a visiting sibling out.
Match the sentence to the situation.
Sentence: 'On sort le frère pour son diplôme !'
'Diplôme' means diploma/graduation, a perfect time to 'sortir le frère'.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesCe soir, je _______ le frère au restaurant.
The subject is 'je', so the verb 'sortir' ends in 's'.
Hier, j'_______ sorti le frère.
When 'sortir' has a direct object (le frère), it uses 'avoir'.
A: Pourquoi tu ne viens pas à la fête ? B: Parce que je _______ le frère, il est en visite.
'Sors' fits the context of taking a visiting sibling out.
Sentence: 'On sort le frère pour son diplôme !'
'Diplôme' means diploma/graduation, a perfect time to 'sortir le frère'.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsYes! Just change it to 'sortir la sœur'.
It is 'J'ai sorti' because you are taking someone else out.
It's a bit informal. Better to say 'Je sors avec mon frère' or 'J'accompagne mon frère'.
Usually, but in slang, it can mean a very close friend.
Say 'Je sors les frères'.
It's more common in spoken dialogue and modern fiction than in formal literature.
Yes, 'sortir le chien' is the exact same grammar!
'Sortir' implies a social event; 'emmener' just means taking them from point A to point B.
Both are correct. 'Le frère' is more colloquial and 'Duolingo-cool'.
Yes, that is perfectly correct and very common.
Related Phrases
sortir avec quelqu'un
similarTo go out with someone (can be romantic or friendly).
emmener quelqu'un
synonymTo take someone along.
faire la fête
builds onTo party.
poser un lapin
contrastTo stand someone up.
