Portuguese · People & Family
"Sister" in Portuguese: irmã
a irmã
Sister in Portuguese is a irmã. An older sister is irmã mais velha; a younger one is irmã mais nova. The plural irmãs is only sisters, while irmãos can mean mixed siblings.
Introducing family
Essa é minha irmã, a Sofia.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce irmã
Say it
eer-MUNG
/iʁˈmɐ̃/
eer-MUNG. Nasal ã, similar to irmão but ending in ã.
"Sister" in Portuguese: quick reference
| Portuguese | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| a irmã | the sister Default singular. | Default singular. |
| as irmãs | the sisters Feminine plural only. | Feminine plural only. |
| irmã mais velha | older sister Birth order. | Birth order. |
| irmãzinha | little sister (affectionate) Warm diminutive. | Warm diminutive. |
How to use irmã in real life
- 1Introducing family
Essa é minha irmã, a Sofia.
This is my sister, Sofia.
Minha irmã is the basic frame.
- 2Phone call
Minha irmã ligou pedindo uma receita.
My sister called asking for a recipe.
Everyday family logistics.
- 3Shared childhood
Eu dividia o quarto com minha irmã.
I shared a room with my sister.
Stories keep minha irmã visible.
Mistakes English speakers make with irmã
Incorrect: meu irmã
Correct: minha irmã
Irmã is feminine: minha irmã.
Incorrect: os irmãos (only sisters)
Correct: as irmãs
Use irmãs for sisters only.
Good to know
Sister relationships in Brazilian speech are often playful and close—lots of nicknames and shared chores. Irmã can also be a respectful address in some religious communities, but for family learning, stick to blood or chosen-family sister first.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Picking someone up at a party
ChatPal
Sua irmã já chegou, ou ainda vamos esperar?
Has your sister arrived, or are we still waiting?
You
Minha irmã mandou mensagem: cinco minutos.
My sister texted: five minutes.
ChatPal
Beleza. Eu fico na porta com a sua irmã depois.
Cool. I'll stay at the door with your sister after.
You
Valeu. Ela se perde fácil aqui.
Thanks. She gets lost easily here.
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"Sister" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Sister" in Portuguese
How do I say older sister?
Irmã mais velha. Younger is irmã mais nova.
Irmã vs irmãos?
Irmã/irmãs are sisters. Irmãos can be brothers or mixed siblings.
How do I pronounce ã?
A nasal vowel: eer-MUNG, without a hard n.
Is irmãzinha okay?
Yes with family affection. With strangers it can feel too intimate.
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- Step 3: Get feedback
- Step 4: Use it in real scenarios
