bræður

Bræður is the Icelandic word for brothers. It is the plural form of bróðir, meaning a male sibling, and is used to refer both to biological brothers and, by extension, to close male companions or allies in a figurative sense. In everyday Icelandic, phrases such as “bræður mínir” (my brothers) or “bræður þínir” (your brothers) illustrate its ordinary use.

Etymology and cognates: Bræður originates from Proto-Germanic and is part of a broad family of kinship terms across Germanic languages. It is closely related to English “brother,” German “Bruder,” Dutch “broer,” Swedish “bror,” Danish “bror,” and Norwegian “bror.” In Icelandic, the singular form is bróðir, and the plural form is bræður, reflecting typical vowel alternations found in the language’s kinship vocabulary.

Usage in literature and culture: The term appears throughout Icelandic literature, sagas, and modern writing to denote brothers and, more broadly, fraternal bonds. In historical texts, bræður often signifies lineage and familial duty, while in contemporary contexts it can convey solidarity among men who share a strong bond or common cause. The word is a standard part of everyday language and does not carry specialized meanings beyond its core sense of male kinship and close companionship.