Image: Midjourney/ MomJunction Design Team
You’re out with the girl of your dreams, and she happens to call you something that can catch you off guard. Yes, we mean the scary word that most guys do not wish to be called by a girl – “bro.” But what does it mean if a girl calls you bro? Does it carry the same meaning as when a guy calls you that?
The answer to this question is a ‘no.’ There could be many reasons behind a girl calling her guy friend a bro. It need not indicate being bro-zoned, at least in some cases. If you’re curious to know the possible answers to this situation, plunge into this post as we share some of the possible interpretations.
Key Pointers
- The word ‘bro’ is not just limited to men. Sometimes, a girl could call you bro too.
- However, unlike a guy’s version, a girl’s “bro” could mean several things.
- Some girls may call their crush bro to indicate subtly that they like him. Others may actually mean that they think of them as a brother.
- Reading her body language and understanding the situation when she used the word could help you identify her feelings for you.
What Does It Mean If A Girl Calls You Bro?
While some girls call a guy ‘bro’ to friendzone them, others may use it as a form of affection.
Here are some reasons she might be calling you a bro.
1. She has a crush on you
Contrary to what the word means, a girl could be calling you bro because she has a crush on you. For example, she might say things such as “Bro, you always know how to make me laugh. I swear, you’re the best!” If she does this a lot, she might be afraid to reveal her feelings and is instead seeking comfort in the platonic state of the relationship. Using the term bro may be her way of masking her feelings and awkwardness.
2. She could be upset with you
If you and your girl are involved in a romantic relationship, the call of bro might indicate some trouble. Some girls tend to call their boyfriends bro to convey that they are upset with them. If she uses bro in a sarcastic way, such as “Okay, bro. I guess I’ll just chill by myself tonight, huh?” you probably need to evaluate the situation and try to reconcile with her as soon as possible.
Quick tip3. She’s being protective of you
By calling you bro, she might be trying to act as your guardian. A few tend to call those younger than them as bro. Perhaps, when she says things such as “Bro, don’t worry about it,” it carries a brotherly connotation. She might have assumed the role of a guardian angel and might convey the same by addressing you this way.
4. She only sees a friend in you
It could be hard to digest, but there is a possibility that a girl is calling you bro because she thinks of you as a close buddy. This could be a big possibility as a study by the Binghamton university founbd that almost 92.6% of heterosexual females have friend zoned guys at some point (1). This friend-zoning is also evident through her acts. Speaking of other guys in front of you or giving you short messages could be signs of you being friend-zoned. You mustn’t misunderstand her friendliness.
5. She is unsure of her feelings for you
There are chances that she might be calling you bro because she has little to no clue how she feels about you. She might say things such as “Hey bro, I really enjoy hanging out with you,’ because she is trying to be amicable. She could also be trying to stop herself from falling in love by calling you bro.
6. She likes someone else
Another possible reason she could be bro-zoning you is she has feelings for someone else. It might not be because something is missing between you or you don’t share a good bond, it’s just that her heart and loyalty are with someone else.
Do remember7. She calls everyone that
A few girls may use the term bro out of familiarity. If you notice your crush calling everybody, including her female friends around her bro, you might not have to worry about being bro-zoned since it’s just her habit to call so. It could be her way of addressing the ones closest to her heart.
8. She’s just joking
Some girls like to call their guy friends bro during certain situations. When you both are pulling a prank on each other or might be involved in harmless teasing, she might end up saying things such as, “Bro, I can’t believe you fell for that prank!” There might not be any ulterior motive behind it. The word is used to suit the fun situation.
9. She’s flirting with you
Calling a guy bro could be a way of telling you that she has a crush on you. She might be afraid of how much she likes you and is trying to subdue her feelings. She might also be trying to grab your attention with the bro lingo and convey her feelings through it. In that case look for signs that your friend likes you romantically.
10. She thinks you are a part of the squad
It is common among office teams to address each other as bro for convenience. If you are a part of that team, there are chances for her to say things such as “Hey bro, can you help me with this report?” This might not mean she’s into you, but it might be a polite way to indicate that she thinks well of you.
11. She’s comfortable with you
The word bro is sacred and is often used with people one is comfortable with. Your crush calling you bro could indicate some kind of attachment towards you. It may mean she trusts you and thinks of you as a caring person.
12. She’s trying to seek your attention
A girl could be calling you bro because she might have a crush on you and is unsure how you feel about her. Look for some subtle signs that she likes you more than a friend. She might be trying to find out if you like her back by calling you bro and observing your state of insecurity.
How To Respond To A Girl Calling You Bro?
It feels nice to be called bro by someone who you don’t have a crush on. However, being called bro by your crush might not always be liked. Especially, when you have feelings for her. Let’s take a look at the ways to respond to bro if a girl called you that.
- Understand the reason she called you a bro. If she is being flirty or if it’s her jargon, try to ignore it.
- Read her body language to interpret her feelings for you.
- Gauge the context and her tone to confirm if she is just being playful or trying to express her feelings.
- Call her by a similar term of endearment to see if she reacts positively to your feelings.
- If you are unsure why she is calling you bro, you could discuss her behaviour with friends.
- Let her know if you feel uncomfortable when she calls you bro.
- If you don’t want to approach her directly, you could ask one of her friends to tell her to stop calling you “bro.”
- If she seems to have a crush on you, take the first step to ask her out on a date.
- If you think asking her out seems risky and might affect your companionship, you must accept the truth and move on.
- Do not take it as an opportunity to lead her on or play with her feelings.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How can I tell a girl not to call me bro?
You can politely express your preference by saying, “I prefer it if you call me by my name instead of bro.” Again, being direct yet respectful will clarify your preference without offending the other person. But communication is key, so try to have an open and honest conversation.
2. Can I call a girl, bro?
The word “bro,” which was earlier associated with the masculine gender, has become gender-neutral. Therefore, you may call a girl “bro” if she is comfortable with it.
3. What does bro mean in texting?
In texting, ‘bro’ is a word people use to talk casually to someone, like saying ‘dude’ or ‘mate.’ It’s a friendly way to address someone and is often used between friends or people who know each other.
4. Is calling someone bro always negative?
No, calling someone bro can not always be taken in a negative sense. If a girl calls you bro, perhaps she is interested in you and trying to become close to you, or she sees you as a friend and a part of her social circle. You can usually tell the difference between the two by observing her body language.
5. If a girl calls me bro, how do I tell if she likes me through her body language?
If a girl calls you bro and you are confused about whether she means it in a friendly way or in a romantic way, observe how she behaves around you. If a girl likes you, she will stand close to you, hold eye contact, mirror your actions, and even engage in preening behavior. She may also go out of her way to communicate with you, ask about your interests, smile at you often, stand tall, and walk in a relaxed manner around you.
Now that you know that being called bro is not always a sign of friend-zoning, relax and take comfort in that assurance until you know her truth. Observe the actions to understand what it truly means when a girl calls you bro. If her calling you bro is making you uncomfortable, find an ideal situation to discuss the same with her at your discretion. It would be wonderful if she reciprocates your feelings. However, if she thinks you are only a friend, respect her feelings and try to get over her.
Infographic: Other Ways Girls Refer To Their Guy Buddies
There is a sweet and funny relationship between girls and their guy friends. They are annoying and caring as brothers but protect like bodyguards. “Bro” is one of the many nicknames that girls use to refer to their guy buddies. Here are a few more such common phrases and terms. Illustration: Momjunction Design Team
Illustration: Reasons Why A Girl Might Call You Bro
Image: Dall·E/MomJunction Design Team
A girl calling a guy “bro” can mean different things depending on the context. Delve into this informative video to explore what it could mean and how to respond appropriately.
References:
- Lillian Harrington et al.; (2017); The Friend zone: An In/inite Place Where Nothing
Good Happens: A Comprehensive Study of Friend zoning Across Varying Genders and Sexual Orientations https://orb.binghamton.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1003&context=research_days_posters&utm
Community Experiences
Join the conversation and become a part of our nurturing community! Share your stories, experiences, and insights to connect with fellow parents.
Read full bio of Jessica Jefferson
Read full bio of Shikha Thakur
Read full bio of Siddharth Kesiraju
Read full bio of Ratika Pai
