Brolly
Meaning: An umbrella
This affectionate shortening of 'umbrella' is quintessentially British, reflecting both the nation's famously rainy weather and love of informal, friendly vocabulary. Using 'brolly' instead of 'umbrella' gives everyday speech a warmer, more casual feel.
Examples
- Looks like rain—better grab your brolly! 看起来要下雨了——最好带上雨伞！Parece que va a llover—¡mejor coge tu paraguas!雨が降りそうだ——傘を持っていった方がいいよ！비가 올 것 같아—우산 챙겨!
- I've left my brolly on the train again. 我又把雨伞落在火车上了。Me he dejado el paraguas en el tren otra vez.また電車に傘を忘れてきちゃった。또 기차에 우산을 놓고 왔어.
- Has anyone got a spare brolly? I've forgotten mine. 有人有多余的雨伞吗？我忘带了。¿Alguien tiene un paraguas de sobra? Me he olvidado el mío.誰か予備の傘ある？忘れちゃった。여분의 우산 있는 사람? 내 거 깜빡했어.
- The wind turned my brolly inside out!风把我的雨伞吹翻了！¡El viento me ha dado la vuelta al paraguas!風で傘がひっくり返っちゃった！바람에 우산이 뒤집어졌어!
Pronunciation
/ˈbrɒli/ - BROL-ee
Usage Guide
Context: everyday speech, friends, family
Tone: friendly, informal
✓ Do Say
- Don't forget your brolly!别忘了带雨伞！¡No olvides tu paraguas!傘を忘れないで！우산 잊지 마!
- It's chucking it down—where's my brolly?外面下大雨——我的雨伞呢？Está diluviando—¿dónde está mi paraguas?土砂降りだ——傘はどこ？비가 쏟아지는데—내 우산 어딨지?
- A brolly is essential in London.在伦敦，雨伞是必需品。Un paraguas es esencial en Londres.ロンドンでは傘は必需品。런던에서는 우산이 필수야.
✗ Don't Say
- In formal writing, use 'umbrella'在正式书面中，使用'umbrella'En escritura formal, usar 'umbrella'フォーマルな文書では「umbrella」を使う격식 있는 글에서는 'umbrella'를 사용할 것
- International contexts may require 'umbrella' for clarity在国际场合可能需要用'umbrella'以便理解En contextos internacionales puede requerirse 'umbrella' para mayor claridad国際的な場では明確さのために「umbrella」が必要かも국제적 맥락에서는 명확성을 위해 'umbrella'가 필요할 수 있음
Common Mistakes
- Americans may not recognise this word
- Spelled 'brolly' not 'brollie'
Origin & History
Brolly emerged in the late 19th century as a colloquial shortening of 'umbrella.' The British love creating diminutive or affectionate versions of words by clipping and adding '-y' or '-ie' (telly, pressie, sarnie). Given how often Brits need umbrellas, it's no surprise this particular item got its own nickname.
Etymology: Shortened from 'umbrella' with '-y' suffix, typical of British informal word formation
First recorded: Used from the 1860s onwards
Cultural Context
Era: 1860s onwards
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
Pop culture: Mary Poppins and her famous brolly; The umbrella is practically a symbol of Britain
Regional notes: Primarily British; Australians and Americans typically say 'umbrella.' Very much tied to the British experience of frequent rain.
Variations
Related Phrases
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