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amico fraterno
/aˈmi.ko fraˈtɛr.no/
close friend
Mario è un amico fraterno di Luigi da vent'anni.
Mario has been a close friend of Luigi's for twenty years.
formal
A friend who is as close as a brother, showing deep trust and affection.
Nonostante gli anni passino, la nostra amicizia fraterna rimane immutata.
Despite the passing years, our brotherly friendship remains unchanged.
È un amico fraterno: posso contare su di lui in qualsiasi momento.
He's a close friend: I can count on him at any time.
Often used to describe a friendship that transcends ordinary bonds, emphasizing loyalty and emotional closeness.
Collocations
amicizia fraternabrotherly friendshiplegame fraternofraternal bond
Antonyms
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Usage Context
Use 'amico fraterno' to emphasize a friendship that feels like family. It’s stronger than 'amico stretto' (close friend) but less formal than 'fratello d'anima' (soulmate).
Gold Rule
Literal vs. Figurative
While 'fraterno' literally means 'brotherly', the phrase describes emotional closeness, not a literal sibling relationship.
Word Origin
From Latin 'amicus' (friend) + 'fraternus' (brotherly). The phrase evolved in Italian to describe a friendship of exceptional depth and trust.
Usage Notes
Used for both male and female friends, though 'amica fraterna' is more common for women. Avoid using in casual contexts; it implies a serious, lifelong bond.
Word Breakdown
amico
friend
rootfraterno
brotherly
rootDizionario Italiano-Inglese