sestra
Latin, feminine
The English word 'sister' is translated into Croatian as sestra.
The word sestra refers to a woman or girl who has the same parents as another person.
Meaning: woman or girl having the same parents (noun)
Which one should you use?
The term seka is an informal version of the word, similar to saying 'sis' or 'sissy' in English.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form is sestre. If the sister is the indirect object, use the dative singular form sestri. If the sister is the direct object, use the accusative singular form sestru.
Did you know?
- In certain dialects or very informal settings, calling someone sestra can be a way of addressing a female stranger in a friendly, street-smart manner, similar to 'sister' or 'sis' in English.
- The word sestra is a linguistic cousin to the English word 'sister', as both descend from the Proto-Indo-European root *swésōr.
- While sestra means 'sister', the word seka is often used as a term of endearment for any younger girl, even if there is no blood relation.
Examples in context
- Mary je Tomova sestra blizanka.Mary is Tom's twin sister.This example shows how to use sestra to identify a relationship.Tatoeba #3957111 by krofna, translation #3956442 by CK
- Moja starija sestra dobro pjeva.My older sister is good at singing.This sentence uses sestra to describe a characteristic of an older sibling.Tatoeba #3957091 by krofna, translation #3851618 by CK
- Ujak mi živi u Srbiji, teta mi živi u Švedskoj, a sestra mi živi u Portugalu.My uncle lives in Serbia, my aunt lives in Sweden, and my sister lives in Portugal.This sentence uses sestra to state where a sibling lives.Tatoeba #13774572 by lostmindRH, translation #13774578 by lostmindRH
- Draga sestro, kako si danas?Dear sister, how are you today?
- Gospođo, jeste li to vi, sestro Anđela?Madam, is that you, Sister Angela?
- Molim te, sestro, donesi mi knjigu.Please, sis, bring me the book.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Mia and Ivan are talking about Mia's family.
- MiaImaš li ti neku sestru?Do you have a sister?
- IvanNe, ja sam jedinac.No, I am an only child.
- MiaMoja sestra dolazi sutra.My sister is coming tomorrow.
- IvanDrago mi je što će ona doći.I am glad that she is coming.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “sister” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries sestra, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
