hermanita
/eɾmaˈnita/
To say baby sister in Spanish, use hermanita, the usual word for a younger sister.
hermanita refers to a sister who is younger than you. It can also describe a sister who is small or young in age.
What does it mean word for word?
The word combines hermana, sister, with the diminutive ending -ita, little, so it literally means little sister.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico you may hear hermanita chiquita. In Argentina and Uruguay people may say hermanita beba.
How does it change in a sentence?
hermanita is the diminutive form of hermana.
How do you pronounce it?
The IPA is /eɾmaˈnita/, with the stress on the third syllable. The h is silent.
Did you know?
- In various Spanish-speaking religious communities, hermanita is used to refer to a fellow female member of the faith or a nun, treating the spiritual bond as a sibling relationship.
- Using hermanita can be a way to patronize someone. If an older person uses it toward a grown woman in a dismissive way, it can feel condescending rather than sweet.
- While hermanita literally means 'little sister', Spanish speakers often use it as a term of endearment for a sister of any age, even one much older than themselves.
Examples in context
- Ven a conocer a mi hermanita queridaCome and meet my beloved little sister
- Eres la mejor hermanita del mundoYou are the best little sister in the world
- Mi hermanita y cómplice de travesurasMy little sister and partner in crime
- Mi hermanita es muy pequeña.My baby sister is very small.
- ¿Quieres jugar con tu hermanita?Do you want to play with your baby sister?
- La hermanita de Mateo es linda.Mateo's baby sister is cute.
Example conversation
Mateo and Elena are looking at a photo album in the living room.
- Mateo¿Quién es esta niña?Who is this girl?
- ElenaEs mi hermanita, recién nacida.It's my baby sister, a newborn.
- MateoEs muy bonita.She is very pretty.
- ElenaGracias, Mateo.Thanks, Mateo.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry hermanita, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
