sans le frère
sans the brother
Littéralement: sans (without) le (the) frère (brother)
Use it to casually note that a brother is not joining the current activity or group.
En 15 secondes
- Means 'without the brother'.
- Used when a sibling is absent.
- Common in casual family talk.
Signification
This phrase simply means 'without the brother.' You use it when a brother is missing from a group, an event, or a specific plan.
Exemples clés
3 sur 6Explaining an absence at dinner
Nous mangeons sans le frère ce soir.
We are eating without the brother tonight.
Texting a friend about plans
Je viens à la fête, mais sans le frère.
I'm coming to the party, but without the brother.
In a more formal family announcement
La photo de famille sera prise sans le frère.
The family photo will be taken without the brother.
Contexte culturel
In French culture, referring to family members with the definite article (le/la) instead of a possessive (mon/ma) is a sign of familiarity. It suggests that the person is a 'staple' character in the speaker's life, often used within close-knit social circles or small villages.
The Article Secret
Using 'le' instead of 'mon' (my) makes it sound like your brother is a famous character in your social circle. It adds a touch of warmth!
Don't add 'de'
English speakers often want to say 'sans de le frère'. Don't do it! In French, 'sans' goes directly to the article.
En 15 secondes
- Means 'without the brother'.
- Used when a sibling is absent.
- Common in casual family talk.
What It Means
This is a very straightforward phrase. It tells people that a specific brother is not present. Imagine you are going to a party. Everyone expects your brother to be there. You walk in alone. You might say you are there sans le frère. It is simple and direct. It identifies a missing person in a family unit. It is not a complex idiom. It is a literal description of a situation. You are just stating a fact.
How To Use It
You can use this phrase in many ways. It usually comes after a verb. For example, Je pars sans le frère. This means "I am leaving without the brother." You can also use it as a short answer. If someone asks, "Is your brother coming?", you can say, "No, sans le frère today." Note that sans is a preposition. It does not need a second word like de or du after it here. You just put the article le and the noun frère. It is one of the easiest structures to master.
When To Use It
Use this when everyone knows which brother you mean. It works best in family settings. If you have one brother, le frère is clear. It feels very natural among friends. Use it when texting to give a quick update. It is perfect for casual plans. If you are at a restaurant, you might tell the waiter you are dining sans le frère tonight. It sounds friendly and informal. It implies a level of closeness with the person you are talking to.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use this in very formal legal settings. In a court, you would be more specific. Do not use it if you have many brothers. It might be confusing. In that case, use a name. Also, avoid using it if you want to sound very polite to a stranger. Using mon frère (my brother) is slightly more standard. Sans le frère can sound a bit like you are talking about an object. It is a bit cheeky. Don't use it for "brother-in-law" either. That is a beau-frère.
Cultural Background
Family is the center of French life. The Sunday lunch is a big tradition. Siblings often stay close throughout adulthood. In French, referring to a family member as le or la (the) instead of mon or ma (my) is common. It shows the person is a fixed part of the social landscape. It is like saying "the one and only." This usage became popular because it feels less possessive. It treats the brother as a well-known character in your life's story.
Common Variations
You will often hear sans la sœur for a sister. If there are multiple, you say sans les frères. You can also swap the article for a possessive. Sans mon frère is very common. Sometimes people say sans le frangin. This is a slang version of brother. It is even more casual. If you are feeling fancy, you might say en l'absence du frère. But sans le frère is the quickest way to say it.
Notes d'usage
This is a neutral, everyday phrase. It is perfectly safe for beginners (A1) to use in almost any social situation involving family.
The Article Secret
Using 'le' instead of 'mon' (my) makes it sound like your brother is a famous character in your social circle. It adds a touch of warmth!
Don't add 'de'
English speakers often want to say 'sans de le frère'. Don't do it! In French, 'sans' goes directly to the article.
The 'Frangin' Factor
If you want to sound really French and very casual, try 'sans le frangin'. It's the equivalent of saying 'without the bro'.
Exemples
6Nous mangeons sans le frère ce soir.
We are eating without the brother tonight.
A simple way to explain a missing family member at the table.
Je viens à la fête, mais sans le frère.
I'm coming to the party, but without the brother.
Quick and efficient for text messaging.
La photo de famille sera prise sans le frère.
The family photo will be taken without the brother.
Used here to state a logistical fact.
Enfin du calme, on est sans le frère !
Finally some peace, we are without the brother!
A playful way to tease a sibling's absence.
C'est difficile de voyager sans le frère.
It is difficult to travel without the brother.
Expresses a sense of missing someone close.
On va au cinéma sans le frère ?
Are we going to the cinema without the brother?
Asking for confirmation on the guest list.
Teste-toi
Fill in the blank to say you are going to the park without the brother.
Je vais au parc ___ le frère.
The word 'sans' is the French word for 'without'.
Choose the correct article for 'brother'.
Elle part sans ___ frère.
'Frère' is a masculine noun, so it requires the masculine article 'le'.
🎉 Score : /2
Aides visuelles
Formality of 'sans le frère'
Using 'sans le frangin' instead.
On bouge sans le frangin ?
Standard way to talk to friends/family.
Je viens sans le frère.
Using 'en l'absence de mon frère'.
Je participe en l'absence de mon frère.
Where to use 'sans le frère'
Family Dinner
Explaining why a chair is empty.
Texting
Updating friends on who is coming.
Travel
Checking in at a hotel.
Cinema
Buying tickets for a smaller group.
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsNot exactly. 'Sans le frère' refers to a specific brother known to the listeners. For 'without a brother' in general, you would say sans frère.
Technically no. You should use sans le beau-frère to avoid confusion, though in very close families, some might shorten it.
No, it is not rude among family and friends. It is actually quite affectionate and common in French households.
The feminine version is sans la sœur, meaning 'without the sister'.
It is better to be more formal. Use mon frère n'est pas présent or en l'absence de mon frère.
To say 'without the brothers', you say sans les frères. The pronunciation of sans remains the same.
No, you can say sans mon frère (my), sans ton frère (your), or just sans frère (without any brother).
In French, the preposition sans is never followed by the partitive article du. It is always sans le or just sans + noun.
No, it is very literal. It simply describes the absence of a brother.
Yes, it is standard French and will be understood in Canada, Belgium, Switzerland, and across Africa.
Expressions liées
avec le frère
with the brother
sans la sœur
without the sister
le frangin
the bro (slang)
en famille
with family
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