mi hermano
/mi eɾmano/from spelling rules
The English phrase "my bro" can be translated into Spanish as mi hermano.
mi hermano is the standard way to refer to a male sibling. However, it is also used in casual, informal settings to refer to a very close male friend, acting as the equivalent of "my bro".
Which one should you use?
While mi hermano is the standard term for a sibling, the informal term Hermanito specifically means "little brother".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
mi hermano is an informal way to address a close friend. Hermanito is also an informal term used to refer to a little brother.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico and parts of Central America, you may encounter Cuate or Compa to mean "buddy" or "mate". Compa is an abbreviation of the word compañero.
How do you pronounce it?
/mi eɾmano/
Did you know?
- While mi hermano works in many places, in Spain, calling a friend mi hermano might sound overly dramatic or literal. To get that same 'my bro' energy in Madrid, you are more likely to hear people use tío, which literally means 'uncle'.
- The English word 'germane', meaning relevant or fitting, actually shares the same linguistic ancestor as hermano. Both words trace back to the Latin 'germānus', which referred to being a sibling.
- While hermano means 'brother', the Old Spanish word for brother was fradre, which is closer to the Latin 'frater' and the English 'fraternity'.
Examples in context
- Mi hermano siempre está ahí para míMy brother is always there for me
- ¡Hola, hermanito! ¿Cómo te fue en el examen?Hi, little brother! How did your exam go?
- ¡Ey, broder! ¿Vamos a dar una vuelta?Hey, broder! Shall we go for a ride?
- Oye, cuate, ¿te acuerdas de cuando éramos niños?Hey, buddy, do you remember when we were kids?
- ¡Eh, mano! ¿Viste qué partido?Hey, bro! Did you see that match?
- Oye, compa, ¿vamos a jugar fútbol?Hey, buddy, shall we play some soccer?
- ¿Cómo estás, parcero?How are you, buddy?
- Él es mi hermano.He is my bro.
- Puedo contar con mi hermano siempre.I can always count on my bro.
- Mi hermano me ayudó con la mudanza.My bro helped me with the move.
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about a person's brother at a cafe.
- Javier¿Quién es ese chico contigo?Who is that guy with you?
- MaríaEs mi hermano, no te preocupes.He is my bro, don't worry.
- JavierAh, es muy simpático.Ah, he is very nice.
- MaríaSí, es el mejor.Yes, he is the best.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries hermano, mi, CC BY-SA 4.0.
