Quick Answer
There are a few common meanings when a guy calls a girl “bro”:
- He sees her as a friend, almost like a sister
- He is trying to avoid showing romantic interest
- He is flirting or teasing in a playful, low-key way
- He doesn’t want to appear too affectionate too soon
Overall, it usually signals he feels casual and comfortable with the girl, but not necessarily attracted or romantically interested. However, some guys use “bro” platonically at first before dating. The context and relationship can help indicate his intentions.
He Sees Her as Just a Friend
One of the most common meanings when a guy calls a girl “bro” is that he views her as a friend, almost like a sister. Guys often use “bro” and “sis” to indicate platonic feelings and show emotional distance. If they hang out one-on-one, text regularly, or joke around, he likely sees her as a buddy to chat or hang out with, not a romantic partner.
Some signs he thinks of her in a brotherly way:
- He talks about dating other girls with her
- He asks for advice about his love life
- He doesn’t make physical contact or compliment her appearance
- He treats her basically the same as his other platonic female friends
So if he throws around “bro” and otherwise acts like a friend, he likely just thinks of her as one of the guys. There are no sparks or romantic feelings brewing beneath the surface.
He’s Avoiding Showing Romantic Interest
In other cases, a guy who calls a girl “bro” is interested in her romantically but downplays it by using a masculine term. Reasons he might do this:
- He’s shy or insecure about expressing his feelings
- He doesn’t know if she likes him back so he’s avoiding coming on too strong
- He wants to transition slowly from friendship to dating
- He’s trying not to get friend-zoned so wants to avoid acting “too nice”
So while he has a crush on her and hopes they’ll eventually date, he holds back from obviously flirting or asking her out. “Bro” creates some emotional distance so he doesn’t reveal how much he likes her too fast.
Pay attention if he otherwise treats her differently than female friends, like subtly flirting, making frequent eye contact, or finding excuses to be near her. This signals he secretly feels attracted but just isn’t comfortable making a move yet.
He’s Flirting in a Playful, Banter-Filled Way
In contrast, some guys use “bro” when flirting to be funny and disarming. By using an overly masculine term for a love interest, he’s showing he doesn’t take himself too seriously and can tease her playfully. It creates a more banter-filled dynamic rather than “confessing his feelings.”
Signs he’s flirting harmlessly if he calls her bro:
- He smiles, raises eyebrows or winks when saying it to signal he’s joking
- He bumps her shoulder or nudges her playfully as he says it
- His body language is relaxed and open when talking to her
- He laughs and jokes around with her frequently
So while the term may seem friend-zoning, pay attention to cheeky non-verbal cues. If he gets bashful or giddy around her, he likely uses “bro” as a silly way to show interest and have fun banter.
He’s Trying Not to Appear Overly Attached
Some guys avoid terms like “babe” or “beautiful” early in dating because they sound too possessive or intense. Calling her “bro” can be his way of showing he’s interested while preventing her from feeling pressured. Reasons he might do this:
- He wants to establish an emotional connection first before intimacy
- He prefers taking things slowly in relationships
- He doesn’t want to scare her away by seeming too serious too fast
- He’s not ready to fully commit so wants to avoid labels
While not overtly romantic, calling her “bro” allows him to show he cares without expectations. Pay attention if he plans thoughtful dates, asks you about your life, and supports you in other ways. His actions likely better reflect his feelings than the casual nickname.
When Guys Shift from Calling Her “Bro” to More Affectionate Nicknames
As relationships progress, guys often drop “bro” and start using sweeter nicknames instead. This marks a turning point as they go from casual buds to a romantic couple.
Some signs a guy no longer sees her as just a “bro”:
- He starts calling her babe, beautiful or other flirtatious names
- He brings her on dates and introduces her to his friends/family
- He posts couple-y photos together on social media
- He stops sitting across from her and sits right beside her instead
- He texts just to say good morning or good night every day
So if “bro” fades into more intimate names over time, it shows his feelings have deepened and he now sees her as a girlfriend. Dropping the platonic act proves he wants their relationship to reach the next level.
When “Bro” Can Be Ambiguous
There’s no getting around the fact that “bro” can be ambiguous. Since guys use it platonically and flirtatiously, it’s hard to deduce the intent from the word alone.
Some scenarios where “bro” has mixed signals:
- A guy she just started dating calls her bro (is it too soon or is he trying not to be attached?)
- A friend she’s liked for a while starts calling her bro (does he not like her back or is it platonic teasing?)
- A classmate she talks to often calls her bro (is he interested in dating or just being buddies?)
With fresh relationships, flirtatious tension, or platonic friendships, “bro” can confuse more than clarify. Look for contextual clues about his true intentions before jumping to conclusions.
How to Tell if He’s Really into Her When Using “Bro”
To better gauge if “bro” signals intimacy or lack of interest, notice his behavior in these spheres:
Body language cues
- Makes frequent eye contact, points body toward her
- Sits or stands extra close to her
- Breaks touch barrier subtly (high fives, hands on shoulders)
- Gets fidgety or bashful when alone together
Conversation style
- Asks questions and listens intently to her answers
- Opens up about his life, interests, and goals
- Texts her random things throughout the day
- Compliments her intelligence, achievements, personality
Dating behaviors
- Finds excuses to hang out one-on-one
- Remembers details about her life and brings up later
- Makes an effort to get to know her friends
- Takes her to activities based on her interests
If his non-verbal and verbal communication shows effort, intimacy and focus, then “bro” likely signals playfulness, not disinterest. Look at the bigger picture before ruling out he has real romantic feelings.
How Girls Can Respond to Being Called “Bro” by a Guy
Being called “bro” can be polarizing. Should you be annoyed at being put in the friend zone? Flattered he feels so comfortable with you? Confused about mixed signals? Here are tips for handling it smoothly:
If you only see him as a friend
- Accept it lightheartedly to preserve the platonic dynamic
- Don’t assume he meant it flirtatiously if you don’t want to date him
- Focus on conversational topics that set friend vibes
If you’re interested in dating him
- Flirt back subtly by teasing him or breaking touch barrier
- Compliment his appearance to signal you see him romantically
- Ask him on an obvious date so intentions are clear
If you’re unsure and want to test the waters
- Laugh it off genuinely and see if he backtracks
- Pay him an innocent compliment to gauge his reaction
- Wait and see if his behavior changes over time
- Ask light questions about dating life to force clarification
With the right response, you can smooth over awkwardness and get insight into how he really sees you. Just avoid overreacting negatively until his intentions become clear.
Conclusion
At the end of the day, the term “bro” has no single meaning when guys use it on a female friend or dating interest. It can signal platonic intentions, hidden attraction, casual flirting or uncertainty about vulnerability. Pay attention to context clues in his body language, conversation style and dating behaviors rather than obsessing over the term alone. In many cases, “bro” signals comfort and interest rather than pure friendship. But if unsure, test the waters before writing him off completely. With the right approach, you can figure out his true feelings and intentions.