bröder

Brüder is the plural form of Bruder in the German language, used to refer to more than one male sibling. It can also function in figurative expressions to denote close male comrades or members of a brotherhood, such as Brüder im Geiste or in common proper names like Die Brüder Grimm, the notable brothers who compiled fairy tales and folklore.

Grammatical notes: The singular is Bruder and the plural is Brüder. The word contains the umlaut over the second vowel, which affects pronunciation and vowel harmony in inflected forms. In everyday speech, Brüder is used for family siblings, while in informal contexts it can convey a sense of kinship or solidarity among men.

Etymology and cognates: Brüder shares a common Germanic origin with English brother and Dutch broer. The root derives from the Proto-Germanic term for a male sibling, with the plural -er suffix common to German masculine nouns. The pronunciation typically renders as [ˈbryːdɐ].

Usage and context: In German, Brüder appears in both literal and metaphorical contexts. It appears in titles, literature, and speech to emphasize fraternity or close bonds. The term is neutral and primarily descriptive, though in certain phrases it can carry strong connotations of loyalty and solidarity. As with many kinship terms, its exact nuance depends on context, tone, and accompanying words.