tato
/ˈtato/colloquial, masculine
The English phrase 'older brother' can be translated into Spanish using the colloquial terms tato or ñaño.
Meaning: single-word translations (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| tato | /ˈtato/ | colloquial, masculine |
| ñaño | /ˈɲaɲo/ | Chile, Ecuador, masculine |
While the standard way to express this concept is through the phrase hermano mayor, which is used to add emphasis to a brother's age, colloquial terms like tato are used to refer to an older brother or a male figure in a familiar setting.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
tato is a colloquial term used in familiar settings.
Is it said differently in some regions?
ñaño is a term used specifically in Chile and Ecuador.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈtato/
Did you know?
- The term tato actually originates from the phrase está todo (bien), which was used to reassure someone that 'everything is fine'.
- In Ecuador, ñaño is often used as a term of endearment for very close friends, not just biological brothers.
- In some coastal regions of Ecuador, using ñaño to address a stranger might be seen as an attempt to create an immediate, intense sense of brotherhood.
Examples in context
- Mi hermano mayor es muy inteligenteMy older brother is very smart.
- Mi hermano mayor es dos años mayor que yoMy older brother is two years older than me.
- Mi amable hermano mayor, le ruego que me aconsejeKind older brother, I beg you to advise me.
Example conversation
Elena asks Mateo about his family.
- Elena¿Tienes hermanos, Mateo?Do you have siblings, Mateo?
- MateoSí, tengo un tato.Yes, I have an older brother.
- Elena¿Él vive aquí en la ciudad?Does he live here in the city?
- MateoNo, mi tato vive en el campo.No, my older brother lives in the countryside.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “older brother” translations and entries tato, ñaño, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries tato, ñaño, CC BY-SA 4.0.
