Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
How to Say Sister in Spanish
Hermana · noun · ehr-MAH-nah
Hermana is the standard Spanish noun for sister, denoting a female sibling. Diminutive forms like hermanita convey affection, while hermanastra and media hermana distinguish step- and half-siblings respectively. In religious contexts, sor is used for a nun or religious sister.
Hermana has three syllables: her-MA-na. Stress falls on the second syllable. The initial 'h' is silent, and the 'r' receives a single tap.
Mi hermana mayor vive en Madrid.
My older sister lives in Madrid.
Sister in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for sister, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| hermana | sister | ehr-MAH-nah | Default, widely understood |
| hermanita | sister | affectionate / little sister | |
| hermanastra | sister | stepsister | |
| media hermana | sister | half-sister | |
| sor | sister | religious sister / nun |
How Native Speakers Use Hermana
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Family introduction
Te presento a mi hermana menor, Lucía.
Let me introduce you to my younger sister, Lucía.
Menor means younger when describing siblings.
Affectionate diminutive
Hermanita, ven a jugar conmigo.
Little sister, come play with me.
Hermanita softens the tone and expresses endearment.
Blended family
Mi hermanastra y yo nos llevamos muy bien.
My stepsister and I get along very well.
Hermanastra specifies a stepsister from a parent's remarriage.
Religious context
Sor María trabaja en el hospital de la misión.
Sister María works at the mission hospital.
Sor is the title used for nuns and religious sisters.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Hermana
Gender confusion
Incorrect: Ella es mi hermano.
Correct: Ella es mi hermana.
Hermano is the masculine form (brother). Use hermana for a female sibling.
Diminutive misuse
Incorrect: Mi hermanito María es muy simpática.
Correct: Mi hermanita María es muy simpática.
The diminutive must match the gender of the person: hermanita for a girl, hermanito for a boy.
Lock in Sister Vocabulary with the Parrot Method
Why word lists alone don't stick
Memorizing a translation feels productive, but most learners forget 70% of what they studied within 48 hours. Vocabulary needs spaced repetition AND real-world exposure to transfer to long-term memory.
See Hermana used by native speakers
Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using hermana in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear Mi hermana mayor vive en Madrid. while watching someone live the moment, connecting meaning, sound, and rhythm at once.
Save, review, repeat, stay consistent
Tap any word to save it. Parrot's spaced-repetition system surfaces it right before you'd forget, no manual flashcard creation. The watch, parrot back, save, review cycle turns recognition into fluency at 2.7x the speed of traditional study.
Common Questions About Sister in Spanish
- What is the difference between hermana and hermanastra?
- Hermana refers to a biological sister, while hermanastra means stepsister — a sister gained through a parent's new marriage rather than by blood.
- How do you say half-sister in Spanish?
- The phrase media hermana is used for a half-sister, someone who shares one biological parent with you.
- Can hermana be used for close female friends?
- Informally, yes. Calling a close friend hermana is common in many Spanish-speaking countries to signal a bond as strong as a sibling relationship.