schoonbroer
Dutch
editAlternative forms
edit- schoonbroeder (formal, dated)
Etymology
editFrom schoon + broer, calque of Middle French beau-frere.
Pronunciation
editNoun
editschoonbroer m (plural schoonbroers, diminutive schoonbroertje n)
- (chiefly Belgium and Suriname) brother-in-law
- Synonym: (Netherlands) zwager
Usage notes
editThe word schoonbroer is mostly used in Belgium, Suriname, and the southern Dutch provinces Limburg and North Brabant. In the rest of the Netherlands, the more common word for “brother-in-law” is zwager, but schoonbroer is naturally understood from association.
Descendants
edit- Negerhollands: skonbutji (from the diminutive)