Which one should you use?
While hermano specifically means brother, the masculine plural form hermanos is also the standard way to say 'siblings' when referring to a mixed-gender group of brothers and sisters. If you wish to refer specifically to a little brother, you can use the informal term hermanito.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The word hermano can be used as an informal way to say 'bro' to a friend. The word hermanito is an informal way to say little brother.
How does it change in a sentence?
To change the gender from brother to sister, change the final 'o' to an 'a' to form hermana. The masculine plural hermanos is used to refer to a group of brothers or a mixed-gender group of siblings.
How do you pronounce it?
/eɾˈmano/
When do people say it?
In many Spanish-speaking cultures, addressing a close male friend as hermano is a common colloquialism.
Did you know?
- If you are speaking to a very close friend in Spain, you might hear the slang term 'tronco' instead of hermano to mean 'bro'.
- The English word 'germane' meaning 'relevant' is a distant relative of hermano, as both come from the Latin germānus meaning 'of the same parent'.
- In certain religious contexts, particularly within Catholic communities, hermano is used as a formal way to address fellow members of the congregation, regardless of blood relation.
Examples in context
- Él es mi hermano.He is my brother.This sentence shows how to use hermano to identify a brother.Tatoeba #493576 by Shishir, translation #250680 by CK
- No es mi hermano.He's not my brother.This sentence uses hermano in a negative statement.Tatoeba #9285961 by Javea, translation #9806534 by DJ_Saidez
- Trae a tu hermano.Bring your brother.This sentence uses hermano as a direct object in a command.Tatoeba #977654 by Shishir, translation #9770441 by DJ_Saidez
- Le presento a mi hermano, Alejandro.Let me introduce you to my brother, Alejandro.
- Hola, hermanito. ¿Qué tal estás?Hi, little brother. How are you doing?
- Habla con mi hermano acerca de ese asuntoTalk to my brother about that matter.
- Vamos al cine, hermanitoLet's go to the movies, little brother.
- Hermanito, siempre puedes contar conmigoLittle brother, you can always count on me.
- 848 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Elena and Javier are looking at a family photograph.
- Elena¿Quién es el chico de la foto?Who is the boy in the photo?
- JavierÉl es mi hermano menor.He is my younger brother.
- ElenaSe parece mucho a ti, Javier.He looks a lot like you, Javier.
- JavierSí, mi hermano y yo somos iguales.Yes, my brother and I are the same.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “brother” translations and entries hermano, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries hermano, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
