Frate mai mare
Older brother
Phrase in 30 Seconds
Use 'frate mai mare' to talk about a brother who was born before you.
- Means: A male sibling who is older than the speaker.
- Used in: Family introductions, storytelling, and describing household dynamics.
- Don't confuse: Avoid using 'frate mai bătrân', which sounds like he is elderly.
Explanation at your level:
뜻
A sibling who is older than oneself.
문화적 배경
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!
뜻
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.
셀프 테스트
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.
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시각 학습 자료
Mare vs Bătrân
자주 묻는 질문
10 질문Yes, 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'.
관련 표현
soră mai mare
similarolder sister
frate mai mic
contrastyounger brother
frate geamăn
similartwin brother
frate vitreg
specialized formstep-brother
văr mai mare
similarolder cousin
어디서 쓸까?
Introducing at a party
Ioana: Cine este tipul acela de lângă bar?
Andrei: El este Radu, fratele meu mai mare.
Asking for a favor
Mihai: Mă poți ajuta cu mașina?
Fratele: Sigur, doar sunt fratele tău mai mare!
Filling out a form
Funcționar: Aveți rude în această instituție?
Aplicant: Da, am un frate mai mare care lucrează aici.
Wedding Toast
Cavaler de onoare: În calitate de frate mai mare, sunt mândru de tine astăzi.
Mire: Mulțumesc, frate!
Social Media Caption
User1: Cea mai bună zi cu cel mai bun frate mai mare! #family
User2: Sunteți amândoi foarte frumoși!
Childhood Argument
Copil 1: Eu aleg jocul!
Copil 2: Nu, eu aleg, pentru că sunt fratele mai mare!
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of 'Mare' as 'Major'. A 'Frate Mare' is your 'Major Brother'.
Visual Association
Imagine a tall mountain (Mare) standing next to a smaller hill. The mountain is the 'Frate Mai Mare', protecting the hill from the wind.
Rhyme
Frate mare, soare tare. (Big brother, strong sun.)
Story
When I was little, I couldn't reach the cookies on the top shelf. My 'Frate Mai Mare' reached up, grabbed them, and shared them with me. He is 'Mare' (big) because he can reach higher.
Word Web
챌린지
Find a photo of a famous male duo (like Mario and Luigi). Identify which one is the 'frate mai mare' and say it out loud in Romanian.
In Other Languages
hermano mayor
Spanish 'mayor' is a specific comparative form, while Romanian 'mai mare' uses the adverb 'mai'.
grand frère
French usually places 'grand' before the noun, while Romanian 'mai mare' follows it.
älterer Bruder
Romanian avoids the word for 'old' (bătrân) in this context, whereas German requires it.
兄 (ani) / お兄さん (oniisan)
Romanian uses a phrase (noun + adjective), while Japanese uses a dedicated noun.
أخ أكبر (akh akbar)
The word order is the same as Romanian (noun then adjective).
哥哥 (gēge)
Chinese does not use a comparative adjective; the seniority is built into the noun itself.
형 (hyeong) / 오빠 (oppa)
Romanian 'frate mai mare' is gender-neutral regarding the speaker, whereas Korean is not.
irmão mais velho
Romanian uses 'mare' (big) while Portuguese uses 'velho' (old).
Easily Confused
Learners translate 'older' literally as 'more old'.
Always use 'mare' for people in your family to show relative age.
Learners don't know when to use 'cel'.
Use 'cel mare' when you are picking him out of a group (the eldest).
자주 묻는 질문 (10)
Yes, 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'.
