mi hermano
/mi eɾmano/from spelling rules
The English phrase 'my brother' is translated into Spanish as mi hermano.
Mi hermano is the standard and most commonly used phrase for 'my brother' in Spanish. To specify age, you can use mi hermano mayor for 'my older brother' or mi hermano menor for 'my younger brother'. An endearing way to refer to a younger brother is mi hermanito, which means 'my little brother'.
Which one should you use?
Use mi hermano to refer to a single male sibling. If you use the plural form mis hermanos, it can mean multiple brothers or a mixed group consisting of both brothers and sisters.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In some Latin American countries, particularly Costa Rica and some Caribbean islands, mi hermanazo is used as an affectionate way to refer to your brother. In some Latin American countries, especially Mexico, the slang term mi carnal is used to mean 'my brother'.
How do you pronounce it?
/mi eɾmano/
Did you know?
- The English word 'germane', meaning relevant or appropriate, shares the same Latin root as hermano. Both words originate from 'germānus', which originally referred to siblings born of the same parents.
- The word hermano eventually replaced the Old Spanish word fradre as the standard term for brother. Fradre was more closely related to the Latin 'fratēr', which is the root of the English word 'fraternity'.
- In certain Caribbean dialects, the phrase mi hermano may be used as a filler word in conversation, similar to how some English speakers use 'man' or 'dude'.
Examples in context
- Él es mi hermano.He is my brother.This sentence is useful for identifying someone as your brother using mi hermano.Tatoeba #493576 by Shishir, translation #250680 by CK
- No es mi hermano.He's not my brother.This sentence is useful for negating the relationship using mi hermano.Tatoeba #9285961 by Javea, translation #9806534 by DJ_Saidez
- Lo hizo mi hermano.My brother did.This sentence is useful for attributing an action to your brother using mi hermano.Tatoeba #1184020 by Shishir, translation #278526 by CK
- Mi hermano es muy inteligenteMy brother is very intelligent
- Mi hermano mayor vive en MadridMy older brother lives in Madrid
- Mi hermano menor estudia medicinaMy younger brother is studying medicine
- Voy de compras con mi hermanitoI'm going shopping with my little brother
- Mi bro es muy divertidoMy bro is very funny
- Mi hermano mayor está estudiando derecho en la universidad.My older brother is studying law at the university.
- Me encanta pasar tiempo con mi hermanito. Siempre nos divertimos juntos.I love spending time with my little brother. We always have fun together.
- Salgo de viaje con mi bro la próxima semana. Va a ser genial.I'm going on a trip with my bro next week. It's going to be awesome.
- 362 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Mateo and Sofía are talking about their families in a cafe.
- MateoHoy es el cumpleaños de mi hermano.Today is my brother's birthday.
- Sofía¿Tu hermano vive aquí en la ciudad?Does your brother live here in the city?
- MateoNo, mi hermano vive en Madrid.No, my brother lives in Madrid.
- Sofía¡Qué bien! Espero que lo veas pronto.That's great! I hope you see him soon.
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.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
