I have two siblings
in SpanishTengo dos hermanos.
/TEN-goh dohs ehr-MAH-nohs/
This is the most direct and common way to say 'I have two siblings' in Spanish. It's universally understood and works in any situation, from casual chats to more formal introductions.
Whether you have brothers, sisters, or both, 'Tengo dos hermanos' is how you'd say 'I have two siblings' in Spanish.
💬Other Ways to Say It
Somos tres hermanos.
/SOH-mohs trehs ehr-MAH-nohs/
This literally means 'We are three siblings.' It's a very common and natural way to express the same idea, focusing on the total number of siblings including yourself.
Tengo un hermano y una hermana.
/TEN-goh oon ehr-MAH-noh ee OO-nah ehr-MAH-nah/
This translates to 'I have one brother and one sister.' Use this when you want to be specific about the gender of your two siblings.
Tengo dos hermanas.
/TEN-goh dohs ehr-MAH-nahs/
This means 'I have two sisters.' You use the feminine form 'hermanas' when all of your siblings are female.
En mi familia, somos tres hermanos.
/en mee fah-MEE-lee-ah, SOH-mohs trehs ehr-MAH-nohs/
Meaning 'In my family, we are three siblings.' This version adds a little more context and is a slightly more elaborate way to share the information.
Aparte de mí, tengo dos hermanos.
/ah-PAR-teh deh MEE, TEN-goh dohs ehr-MAH-nohs/
This translates to 'Besides me, I have two siblings.' It's a very clear way to state the number, removing any ambiguity about whether you're including yourself.
🔑Key Words
📊Quick Comparison
Here’s a quick comparison of the most common ways to talk about your two siblings.
| Phrase | Literal Meaning | Best For | When to Avoid |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tengo dos hermanos. | I have two siblings/brothers. | A direct, universal answer for any situation. The safest and most standard option. | It can be slightly ambiguous if you want to specify genders immediately. |
| Somos tres hermanos. | We are three siblings. | Sounding natural and conversational, especially when responding to a question. | If the listener might be confused about whether you're including yourself in the count. |
| Tengo un hermano y una hermana. | I have a brother and a sister. | Being specific and clear to avoid follow-up questions about gender. | When you just need to give a quick number and details aren't important. |
📈Difficulty Level
Fairly easy. The 'h' in 'hermanos' is silent, and the rolling 'r' can be tricky for some, but it's generally straightforward.
The grammar is very simple: Verb (Tengo) + Number (dos) + Noun (hermanos). 'Tener' is a fundamental verb to learn early on.
The main cultural point is understanding that 'hermanos' is the default for a mixed-gender group of siblings, which is a key difference from English.
Key Challenges:
- Remembering the silent 'h' in 'hermanos'.
- Internalizing the 'hermanos' for mixed-gender rule.
💡Examples in Action
—¿Tienes una familia grande? —No, es pequeña. Solo tengo dos hermanos.
—Do you have a big family? —No, it's small. I only have two siblings.
Me encanta pasar tiempo con mi familia. Como somos tres hermanos, siempre hay alguien con quien hablar.
I love spending time with my family. Since we are three siblings, there's always someone to talk to.
En la foto estamos mis padres, mi hermana mayor, mi hermano menor y yo. En total, tengo dos hermanos.
In the photo it's my parents, my older sister, my younger brother, and me. In total, I have two siblings.
Para la solicitud, necesito listar a mis familiares directos. Tengo dos hermanos, ambos viven en México.
For the application, I need to list my immediate family members. I have two siblings, both live in Mexico.
🌍Cultural Context
The All-Encompassing 'Hermanos'
This is a big one for English speakers! Spanish uses the masculine plural 'hermanos' as the default term for 'siblings.' It can mean 'brothers,' OR 'brothers and sisters.' If a group has 99 sisters and 1 brother, you still refer to them as 'hermanos.' You only use 'hermanas' (sisters) if everyone in the group is female.
Family as a Go-To Conversation Topic
In many Spanish-speaking cultures, family is a central part of life and identity. Asking about someone's family, including their siblings, is a very common and friendly way to make small talk and show you're interested in getting to know them. It's generally not considered too personal for initial conversations.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Forgetting the Masculine Default Rule
Mistake: "Saying 'Tengo un hermano y una hermana, entonces tengo dos hermanas.'"
Correction: Tengo un hermano y una hermana, entonces tengo dos hermanos.
Overusing 'Yo'
Mistake: "Yo tengo dos hermanos."
Correction: Tengo dos hermanos.
Searching for a Direct 'Siblings' Word
Mistake: "Trying to say 'sibilinos' or another literal translation."
Correction: Use 'hermanos'.
💡Pro Tips
Use 'Somos' to Sound More Natural
When someone asks '¿Cuántos hermanos tienes?' (How many siblings do you have?), responding with 'Somos tres en total' (There are three of us in total) is a very common and fluid way to answer. It includes you in the count and flows nicely in conversation.
Be Ready for Follow-Up Questions
After you say you have siblings, the next questions are almost always: '¿Son mayores o menores que tú?' (Are they older or younger than you?) and '¿Cómo se llaman?' (What are their names?). Have those answers ready to keep the conversation going!
Specify Genders for Clarity
While 'Tengo dos hermanos' is correct for a brother and a sister, it can be ambiguous. It's often clearer and more helpful to just say 'Tengo un hermano y una hermana' from the start. This gives more information and avoids confusion.
🗺️Regional Variations
Universal
This phrase is remarkably standard across the entire Spanish-speaking world. The vocabulary and structure are identical everywhere, making it a very safe and useful phrase to learn. The main variation you'll encounter is purely in the accent and pronunciation.
💬What Comes Next?
After you say you have siblings
¿Son mayores o menores que tú?
Are they older or younger than you?
Tengo una hermana mayor y un hermano menor.
I have an older sister and a younger brother.
Someone wants to know more about your family
¿Y a qué se dedican?
And what do they do (for a living)?
Mi hermano es ingeniero y mi hermana todavía estudia.
My brother is an engineer and my sister is still studying.
To start the conversation
¿Tienes hermanos?
Do you have siblings?
Sí, tengo dos. ¿Y tú?
Yes, I have two. And you?
🔄How It Differs from English
The biggest difference is the lack of a direct equivalent for the word 'siblings.' English has one neutral word, while Spanish defaults to the masculine plural 'hermanos' to refer to a group of brothers or a group of brothers and sisters. This concept of a masculine plural being the 'default' for mixed groups extends to many other nouns in Spanish (e.g., 'padres' for parents, 'hijos' for children) and is a fundamental concept for English speakers to grasp.
🎯Your Learning Path
➡️ Learn Next:
¿Tienes hermanos?
This is the question that prompts your answer, so you should learn how to ask it too.
Mi hermano es mayor y mi hermana es menor.
This is the logical next step: describing your siblings' ages relative to yours.
No tengo hermanos. Soy hijo único / hija única.
It's important to know how to say the opposite, in case you don't have siblings.
¿Cuántos años tienen tus hermanos?
This is another very common follow-up question in conversations about family.
✏️Test Your Knowledge
💡 Quick Quiz: I have two siblings
Question 1 of 3
If you have one brother and one sister, which sentence is the most accurate and common way to describe your siblings as a group?
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between 'Tengo dos hermanos' and 'Somos tres hermanos'?
They convey the same information but from a different perspective. 'Tengo dos hermanos' means 'I have two siblings,' focusing on the number of siblings you possess. 'Somos tres hermanos' means 'We are three siblings,' focusing on the total group size, including yourself. Both are correct, but 'Somos...' often sounds a bit more natural in conversation.
How do I say I have ONLY two siblings?
You can add the word 'solo' or 'solamente' for emphasis. You would say 'Solo tengo dos hermanos' or 'Tengo solamente dos hermanos.' Both mean 'I only have two siblings'.
Is it ever okay to just say 'hermanos' to mean 'siblings'?
Yes, absolutely! If someone asks '¿Tienes hermanos?', they are asking 'Do you have siblings?'. The word 'hermanos' on its own in a plural context is the standard way to refer to siblings in general.
What if I have more than two siblings, like four?
The structure is the same, you just change the number! You would say 'Tengo cuatro hermanos.' If you wanted to specify, you could say something like 'Tengo dos hermanos y dos hermanas' (I have two brothers and two sisters).
Why can't I find a word for 'sibling' in the dictionary?
Because Spanish doesn't have a single, common noun for 'sibling' like English does. The concept is built into the word 'hermano(s)'. This is a key structural difference between the two languages that you just have to learn and accept.
Does this masculine default rule apply to other family members?
Yes, it does! For example, 'padres' means 'parents' (not just 'fathers'), 'hijos' means 'children' (not just 'sons'), and 'tíos' means 'aunt(s) and uncle(s)' (not just 'uncles'). It's a very common pattern in Spanish.
📚Continue Learning Spanish Phrases
Explore More Phrases in These Categories
Find similar phrases to expand your Spanish vocabulary:
Want to Learn More Spanish Phrases?
Browse our complete collection of Spanish phrases organized by situation, from basic greetings to advanced conversations. Perfect for travelers, students, and anyone learning Spanish.
View All Spanish Phrases →