братья и сёстры
brat'ya i syostry
The Russian phrase for siblings is братья и сёстры (brat'ya i syostry).
Russian does not have a single word that translates directly to the English noun 'siblings'. To express the concept of people who share the same parents, including both brothers and sisters, you must use the phrase братья и сёстры.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is a literal combination of the words for 'brothers' and 'sisters'.
Which one should you use?
Unlike English, which uses the single noun 'siblings', Russian requires the construction 'brothers and sisters' to express this concept.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase uses the plural forms of both брат (brother) and сестра (sister).
How do you pronounce it?
brat'ya i syostry
Did you know?
- While братья и сёстры is the standard term, Russian speakers often use the gender-neutral term сиблинги (siblings) in psychological or scientific contexts.
- In Russian, the word сестра can also refer to a nun, as the religious community is viewed as a spiritual family of sisters.
- The word for 'brother' брат is a linguistic relative of the English word 'brother' because both descend from the same Proto-Indo-European root.
Examples in context
- Они братья и сёстры.They are siblings.This sentence is useful for stating that someone's relationship is being brothers and sisters.Tatoeba #8785887 by marafon, translation #4384727 by AlanF_US
- Мои братья и сёстры!My siblings!This sentence is useful for an exclamation about one's own brothers and sisters.Tatoeba #9478185 by Katie_Yves, translation #6171470 by RobinvanderVliet
- Дорогие братья и сёстры!Dear siblings!This sentence is useful for a direct address to brothers and sisters.Tatoeba #9478188 by Katie_Yves, translation #6171488 by RobinvanderVliet
- У этой семьи семеро братьев и сестер.This family has seven siblings.
- Мой брат и сестра идут вместе в школу.My brother and sister go to school together.
- 4 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Anastasia and Sergey are talking about their families at a cafe.
- Анастасия AnastasiaУ тебя есть братья и сёстры?U tebya yest' brat'ya i syostry?Do you have siblings?
- Сергей SergeyДа, у меня есть один брат и одна сестра.Da, u menya yest' odin brat i odna sestra.Yes, I have one brother and one sister.
- Анастасия AnastasiaА мои братья и сёстры живут в другом городе.A moi brat'ya i syostry zhivut v drugom gorode.And my siblings live in another city.
- Сергей SergeyЭто довольно далеко.Eto dovol'no daleko.That is quite far.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
