hermana
/eɾˈmana/
The Spanish word hermana means sister.
The word hermana refers specifically to a female sibling.
Which one should you use?
While hermana refers to a female sibling, use hermano to refer to a brother or a male sibling. If you are referring to a group of siblings that includes both males and females, the masculine plural form hermanos is used instead of the feminine plural hermanas.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of hermana is hermanas when referring to a group of sisters. However, if the group of siblings is mixed-gender, the form changes to the masculine plural hermanos.
How do you pronounce it?
/eɾˈmana/
Did you know?
- The expression hermana de leche is used to describe a 'milk sister', which refers to two girls who were breastfed by the same woman despite not being biological siblings.
- The English word 'germane', meaning relevant or closely related, shares the same linguistic ancestor as hermana.
- In Catholic communities, hermana is used as a title for a nun or a woman of faith, regardless of whether she has actual siblings.
Examples in context
- Me gustaría presentarles a mi hermana, María.I would like to introduce you to my sister, Maria.
- ¡Hola, hermanita! ¿Cómo estás?Hello, little sister! How are you?
- Mi hermana se casó y ahora tengo una nueva cuñada.My sister got married and now I have a new sister-in-law.
- Tengo una hermana menor.I have a younger sister.
- Mi hermana vive en Madrid.My sister lives in Madrid.
- Ella es mi hermana.She is my sister.
Example conversation
Mateo and Sofía are talking about their families at a cafe.
- Mateo¿Tienes alguna hermana?Do you have a sister?
- SofíaSí, tengo una hermana.Yes, I have a sister.
- Mateo¿Cómo se llama tu hermana?What is your sister's name?
- SofíaMi hermana se llama Lucía.My sister's name is Lucía.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry hermana, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries hermana, CC BY-SA 4.0.
