ältere Schwester
The German phrase for "older sister" is ältere Schwester.
Meaning: single-word translations (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word ältere is the comparative form of the adjective alt (old), meaning "older".
Which one should you use?
While ältere Schwester literally means "older sister", Germans frequently use große Schwester (big sister) to refer to an older sister in casual conversation.
How does it change in a sentence?
In the phrase ältere Schwester, the adjective ältere uses the ending -e because it follows the indefinite article eine in the nominative or accusative feminine singular.
Did you know?
- The word Schwester is also the standard German word for 'nurse'. Without context, saying you have a Schwester could mean you have a sibling or a profession in healthcare.
- German uses the word Geschwister to refer to siblings of any gender. This allows a speaker to mention their ältere Schwester and other siblings collectively without repeating gendered nouns.
- The adjective alt in ältere Schwester can sometimes sound slightly more blunt or even rude in German if used to describe people in certain social contexts, unlike the more neutral 'older' in English.
Examples in context
- Sie ist Toms ältere Schwester.She is Tom's older sister.This sentence shows how to identify someone as Tom's ältere Schwester.Tatoeba #3072425 by faehrmann, translation #1526458 by pauldhunt
- Hast du eine ältere Schwester?Have you got an older sister?This sentence is a way to ask if someone has an ältere Schwester.Tatoeba #8634556 by Melang, translation #8935583 by sundown
- Ich habe eine ältere Schwester.I have an older sister.This sentence is a way to state that you have an ältere Schwester.Tatoeba #7842569 by driini, translation #9186798 by CK
- 49 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Laura and Maximilian are talking about their families at a cafe.
- LauraHast du eine ältere Schwester?Do you have an older sister?
- MaximilianNein, ich habe nur einen Bruder.No, I only have a brother.
- LauraMeine ältere Schwester wohnt in Berlin.My older sister lives in Berlin.
- MaximilianDas ist schön.That is nice.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
