hermana gemela
/eɾmana xemela/from spelling rules
The Spanish phrase for "twin sister" is hermana gemela.
hermana gemela refers to a sister who is born at the same time as another sibling from the same pregnancy.
Which one should you use?
In Spanish, there is a distinction between the type of twins being described. Use hermana gemela specifically for identical twins, whereas hermana melliza is used to refer to a fraternal twin sister.
How does it change in a sentence?
To refer to more than one twin sister, use the plural form hermanas gemelas.
Did you know?
- In Spanish, the term gemelo also refers to the gastrocnemius muscle in the calf because the muscle has two heads.
- The word gemelo is used in Spanish to describe cufflinks, because they come in identical pairs.
- In some Latin American countries, gemelo or gemela is used colloquially to describe two things that are exactly alike, even if they are not people.
Examples in context
- Tengo una hermana gemela.I have a twin sister.This sentence is useful for stating that you have a twin sister.Tatoeba #1542056 by marcelostockle, translation #1541447 by CM
- ¿Tienes una hermana gemela?Do you have a twin sister?This sentence is useful for asking someone if they have a twin sister.Tatoeba #2246799 by Shishir, translation #2240443 by Hybrid
- Mary es la hermana gemela de Tom.Mary is Tom's twin sister.This sentence is useful for identifying someone as a specific person's twin sister.Tatoeba #3959585 by senryakun, translation #3956442 by CK
- Mi hermana gemela y yo somos inseparables.My twin sister and I are inseparable.
- Me llevo muy bien con mi hermana melliza.I get along very well with my twin sister.
- Ayer salí de compras con mi gemela.Yesterday, I went shopping with my twin sister.
- Mi melliza y yo compartimos todo.My twin sister and I share everything.
- Su hermana gemela es muy simpática.His/Her twin sister is very nice.
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about their family at a cafe.
- Javier¿Tienes una hermana gemela?Do you have a twin sister?
- MaríaSí, ella es mi hermana gemela.Yes, she is my twin sister.
- Javier¡Qué bien! ¿Son muy parecidas?That's great! Are you very similar?
- MaríaSí, somos casi idénticas.Yes, we are almost identical.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
