Portuguese · People & Family

"Siblings" in Portuguese: irmãos

os irmãos

Say it: eer-MOWNSmasculine plural · os irmãosnoun/iʁ.ˈmɐ̃w̃s/

Siblings in Portuguese is os irmãos. It can mean brothers or mixed siblings; add irmãs when needed.

Family size

Tenho três irmãos dois homens e uma mulher.
I have three siblings — two brothers and one sister.
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How to pronounce irmãos

Say it

eer-MOWNS

/iʁ.ˈmɐ̃w̃s/

eer-MOWNS

"Siblings" in Portuguese: quick reference

PortugueseEnglish
os irmãossiblings / brothers

Default plural.

irmãos e irmãsbrothers and sisters

Explicit mix.

meus irmãosmy siblings

Possessive.

irmão / irmãbrother / sister

Singulars.

How to use irmãos in real life

  1. 1Family size

    Tenho três irmãos dois homens e uma mulher.

    I have three siblings — two brothers and one sister.

    Mixed group as irmãos.

  2. 2Visit

    Meus irmãos chegam amanhã de manhã.

    My siblings arrive tomorrow morning.

    Meus irmãos.

  3. 3Photo

    Nessa foto estamos todos os irmãos juntos.

    In this photo all of us siblings are together.

    Group noun.

Mistakes English speakers make with irmãos

Incorrect: As irmãos chegaram.

Correct: Os irmãos chegaram. / As irmãs chegaram.

Irmãos is masculine plural; all-sisters group is irmãs.

Incorrect: Meus siblings moram longe.

Correct: Meus irmãos moram longe.

Use irmãos.

Good to know

Os irmãos often covers mixed siblings in Brazilian speech. If you need to stress sisters only, say as irmãs. Family WhatsApp groups are full of irmãos tagging each other.

Try it in a ChatPal conversation

Counting seats for dinner

  1. ChatPal

    Quantos irmãos vêm jantar?

    How many siblings are coming to dinner?

  2. You

    Quatro irmãos, mais os parceiros.

    Four siblings, plus partners.

  3. ChatPal

    Então abro a mesa grande.

    Then I’ll open the big table.

  4. You

    Perfeito. Eu levo a sobremesa.

    Perfect. I’ll bring dessert.

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"Siblings" in other languages

FAQ

Common questions about "Siblings" in Portuguese

Brothers only?

Still irmãos; context or homens clarifies.

Sisters only?

As irmãs.

My siblings?

Meus irmãos.

Singular brother/sister?

Irmão / irmã.

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