hermana
neutral, Mexico
In Mexico "sister" is hermana. Affectionate forms are hermanita and manita, and in street slang a close sister or female friend can be a carnala.
Meaning: female sibling (noun)
Ways to say it
| Mexican | Note |
|---|---|
| hermana | neutral, Mexico |
| hermanita | affectionate |
| carnala | slang, Mexico |
Use mi hermana mayor for older sister and mi hermana menor for younger sister. People also call close female friends hermana.
Is it said differently in some regions?
Carnal and carnala are Mexican slang for brother and sister or very close friends. They are informal and not used in formal speech.
How does it change in a sentence?
The masculine form is hermano. Together, mis hermanos can mean brothers or brothers and sisters.
Did you know?
- Carnal can also mean a close friend, not only a brother, and friends use it when they feel like family.
Examples in context
- Mi hermana vive en Guadalajara.My sister lives in Guadalajara.
- Mi hermanita cumple diez años.My little sister turns ten.
- Ella es mi carnala.She is like my sister.
Example conversation
Sara introduces her sister Valeria to a friend, Omar, at a party in Monterrey.
- SaraOmar, ella es mi hermana Valeria.Omar, this is my sister Valeria.
- OmarMucho gusto, Valeria.Nice to meet you, Valeria.
- ValeriaEl gusto es mío. Sara habla mucho de ti.The pleasure is mine. Sara talks about you a lot.
