Italian · People & Family
"Siblings" in Italian: fratelli
i fratelli
Siblings in Italian is often i fratelli (ee frah-TEL-lee), which can mean brothers or mixed siblings. Sisters only are le sorelle. Ask Hai fratelli? for do you have siblings?
Getting to know someone
Hai fratelli? Io ne ho due.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce fratelli
Say it
ee frah-TEL-lee
/fraˈtɛl.li/
Fratelli stresses TEL: frah-TEL-lee. Double l is held lightly.
"Siblings" in Italian: quick reference
| Italian | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| i fratelli | the brothers / siblings Default plural noun. | Default plural noun. |
| fratelli e sorelle | brothers and sisters Clear mixed group. | Clear mixed group. |
| hai fratelli? | do you have siblings? Common question. | Common question. |
| tra fratelli | among siblings Family dynamics. | Family dynamics. |
How to use fratelli in real life
- 1Getting to know someone
Hai fratelli? Io ne ho due.
Do you have siblings? I have two.
Hai fratelli? is the classic question.
- 2Family photo
Nella foto ci siamo tutti i fratelli.
In the photo there are all of us siblings.
I fratelli for the group.
- 3Weekend plans
I miei fratelli vengono a pranzo domenica.
My siblings are coming to lunch Sunday.
I miei fratelli.
Mistakes English speakers make with fratelli
Incorrect: Ho due siblings.
Correct: Ho due fratelli. / Ho un fratello e una sorella.
Use fratelli or name brothers and sisters.
Incorrect: Le fratelli arrivano.
Correct: I fratelli arrivano.
Fratelli is masculine plural: i fratelli.
Good to know
Italians may answer Hai fratelli? with exact genders: un fratello e una sorella. Fratelli alone can still cover a mixed set in casual speech.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Small talk about family size
ChatPal
Quanti fratelli hai?
How many siblings do you have?
You
Tre: i miei fratelli sono sparsi in tre città.
Three: my siblings are spread across three cities.
ChatPal
Bello. Tra fratelli vi sentite spesso?
Nice. Do you siblings talk often?
You
Sì, c'è un gruppo chat solo nostro.
Yes, there's a group chat just for us.
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"Siblings" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Siblings" in Italian
Does fratelli only mean brothers?
Literally brothers, but Hai fratelli? often means do you have siblings?
How do I specify sisters?
Sorelle, or fratelli e sorelle for both.
How do I say my siblings?
I miei fratelli (or be specific with sorelle).
Singular brother?
Il fratello.
Learn a word, then use it out loud
- Step 1: See it in context
- Step 2: Say it out loud
- Step 3: Get feedback
- Step 4: Use it in real scenarios
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