broertjes

Broertjes is a Dutch noun meaning “younger brothers” or “little brothers.” It is the plural form of the diminutive noun broertje, which itself is derived from bro er (brother). The term is used to refer to two or more brothers who are younger or smaller in a affectionate or familial way. The neutral, non-diminutive plural form for brothers in general is broers, but broertjes adds a nuance of youth or endearment.

In usage, broertjes often appear in everyday speech, literature, and media to describe siblings in a warm or informal context. It can imply a close bond or cuteness, rather than a strict statement about age. The singular form is broertje, and the plural formbroertjes is used with numbers or in sentences like “de twee broertjes spelen buiten” or “onze drie broertjes.” For mixed-gender siblings, Dutch typically uses broader phrases such as broers en zussen or kinderen, rather than pairing a masculine diminutive with a feminine group.

Related terms include broer (brother) and broers (brothers), as well as zussen (sisters) for female siblings. The diminutive form broertje and its plural broertjes are part of a wider Dutch system of diminutives used to convey familiarity, affection, or smallness in everyday language.