hola, hermana
/ˈola eɾˈmana/word by word
The Spanish phrase for "hello, my sister" is hola, hermana.
This phrase is a greeting used when speaking to one's own sister.
Which one should you use?
While English speakers typically say "hello, my sister," in Spanish it is more common to omit the possessive pronoun mi (my) when addressing a family member directly.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈola eɾˈmana/
Did you know?
- The word hermana shares an unexpected ancestor with the English word 'germane', which refers to something being closely related or relevant.
- If you call a stranger hermana in certain Caribbean or Latin American contexts, it functions as an informal term of endearment or solidarity rather than a literal statement of family.
- In some religious communities, hermana is used as a formal title for a nun or a fellow member of a church congregation.
Examples in context
- ¡Hola, hermana! Qué alegría verte.Hello, sister! What a joy to see you.
Example conversation
María enters the living room where her brother is sitting.
- MaríaHola, hermana, ¿qué haces?Hello, sister, what are you doing?
- JavierHola, Javier, estoy leyendo un libro.Hello, Javier, I am reading a book.
- María¿Quieres ir al parque conmigo?Do you want to go to the park with me?
- JavierSí, dame cinco minutos.Yes, give me five minutes.
Sources
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (hola, hermana) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries hermana, hola, CC BY-SA 4.0.
