medio hermano
/medjo eɾmano/from spelling rulesmasculine
The English phrase 'half brother' is translated into Spanish as medio hermano. Wiktionary also lists hermanastro.
Meaning: male half-sibling (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| medio hermano | /medjo eɾmano/ (from spelling rules) | masculine |
| hermanastro | /eɾmaˈnastɾo/ | masculine |
You can specify the parentage by using medio hermano materno for a maternal half brother or medio hermano paterno for a paternal half brother.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase medio hermano is a literal translation where medio means 'half' and hermano means 'brother'.
Which one should you use?
The term hermanastro is also used to refer to a half brother.
How does it change in a sentence?
The masculine form medio hermano changes to the feminine form media hermana when referring to a half sister.
Did you know?
- The word medio was borrowed directly from Latin because the naturally evolved Spanish versions would have sounded too similar to mear, the verb 'to piss'.
- In Spanish, hermanastro is often used to describe both a half brother and a stepbrother, which can make family trees confusing for English speakers.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, using the term hermanastro can sound more distant or even slightly cold compared to the warmer, more familial medio hermano.
Examples in context
- Él es mi medio hermano.He's my half-brother.This sentence is useful for identifying a male half-sibling using medio hermano.Tatoeba #5611873 by baudelaire, translation #1855206 by Spamster
- Tengo un medio hermano que vive en México.I have a half brother who lives in Mexico.
- Samuel es mi hermanastro.Samuel is my half brother.
- Tengo un medio hermano por parte de mi padre.I have a half brother on my father's side.
- Su medio hermano vive en Madrid.Her half brother lives in Madrid.
Example conversation
Lucía and Daniel are talking about their family at a cafe.
- Lucía¿Tienes muchos hermanos, Daniel?Do you have many siblings, Daniel?
- DanielSolo tengo un medio hermano.I only have one half brother.
- Lucía¿Él es mayor que tú?Is he older than you?
- DanielNo, mi medio hermano es más joven.No, my half brother is younger.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “half brother” translations and entries medio hermano, hermanastro, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries hermanastro, hermano, medio, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
