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A high quality storybook illustration depicting a very young boy, smiling and holding a small toy car, representing a little brother.

hermanito

ehr-mah-NEE-toh

nounmA1
little brother?younger male sibling,younger brother?in relation to birth order
Also:bro?as an affectionate term of address,dear brother?term of endearment for any brother

📝 In Action

Mi hermanito tiene que ir a la cama a las ocho.

A1

My little brother has to go to bed at eight o'clock.

¡Hola, hermanito! ¿Quieres venir al cine con nosotros?

A2

Hey, little brother (or bro)! Do you want to come to the movies with us?

Aunque es más alto que yo, para mí siempre será mi hermanito.

B1

Even though he is taller than me, he will always be my dear brother.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • hermano menor (younger brother)

Antonyms

  • hermanón (big brother (often implies large size))

Common Collocations

  • cuidar a mi hermanito – to look after my little brother
  • el hermanito de mi amigo – my friend's little brother

💡 Grammar Points

The Affectionate Suffix -ito

'Hermanito' is built from 'hermano' (brother) plus the suffix '-ito.' This ending is used constantly in Spanish to make things sound smaller, younger, or, most importantly, to show love and affection.

❌ Common Pitfalls

Confusing Size and Affection

Mistake: "Thinking 'hermanito' can only be used for a small child."

Correction: Remember that the affectionate meaning is often stronger than the size meaning. You can call your 40-year-old brother 'hermanito' to show him how much you care.

⭐ Usage Tips

Using the Feminine Form

The female equivalent is 'hermanita' (little sister). The meaning is exactly the same: it can mean a younger sister or simply a beloved sister.

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: hermanito

Question 1 of 1

Which of these situations is the most appropriate time to use 'hermanito'?

📚 More Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'hermanito' only used for younger brothers?

No. While it literally means 'little brother,' it is very often used as a term of endearment for any brother, regardless of their age or physical size. It emphasizes affection and closeness.