Bredren
/ BRED-rin /Quick answer: Bredren (pronounced BRED-rin) is friend, brother, mate.
What does Bredren mean?
Bredren (also spelled bredrin) means friend or friends, especially close male friends. It works as singular or plural: ‘him a mi bredren’ (he’s my friend) or ‘mi bredren dem’ (my friends). Bredda is closer to ‘brother’ and is used both for a real brother and as a friendly address.
Where does Bredren come from?
It comes from the old English ‘brethren’, the plural of brother used in the Bible. Rastafari and church speech kept the word alive, and it is now everyday Jamaican and UK slang.
How to use Bredren
The female equivalent is sistren. You’ll also hear idren in Rasta speech.
| Jamaican Patois | English |
|---|---|
| Mi an’ mi bredren a go beach. | My friends and I are going to the beach. |
| Wah gwaan, bredren? | What’s up, my friend? |
| Him a mi bredda from school days. | He’s been my close friend since school. |
Other spellings
Because Patois is mostly spoken, spellings vary. You may also see: bredrin, bredda, breddah.
Related Patois words
Sistren · Bredda · Idren · Spar
Frequently asked
What is the difference between bredren and bredda?
Bredda is closer to ‘brother’; bredren means friend or friends.
What is the female version?
Sistren.
Look up more words in the Jamaican Patois Dictionary, or see Bredren in the dictionary.