irmão/ã
Brother/Sister; a male/female sibling.
irmão/ã in 30 Seconds
- Irmão means brother; Irmã means sister.
- Use 'irmãos' for the plural of siblings (mixed).
- It can also mean a very close friend.
- Commonly used in religious and informal contexts.
The word irmão (masculine) and irmã (feminine) are the primary terms in Portuguese to describe siblings. Derived from the Latin 'germanus', these words carry a deep sense of biological and emotional connection. In Portuguese culture, family is central, and the distinction between gender is strictly maintained in the singular form.
- Biological Sibling
- A person sharing the same mother and father (irmão germano) or just one parent (meio-irmão).
O meu irmão mais velho mora em Lisboa.
Beyond biology, 'irmão' is frequently used in religious contexts, especially within Catholic and Evangelical communities, to address fellow members. This usage emphasizes a spiritual bond that transcends bloodlines. In informal urban slang, particularly in Brazil, 'irmão' or its shortened form 'mano' is used similarly to 'bro' or 'dude' in English.
- Spiritual Brother
- Used in churches to denote a fellow believer: 'Paz, irmão'.
Ela é como uma irmã para mim.
The emotional weight of the word is significant. To call someone an 'irmão' who is not biologically related is one of the highest compliments of loyalty and friendship in Lusophone cultures. This reflects the 'familismo' prevalent in Mediterranean-descended societies where the family unit is the primary social structure.
- Figurative Usage
- Referring to someone with a shared history or deep bond.
Nós somos irmãos de armas.
Using 'irmão' and 'irmã' correctly requires attention to gender and number agreement. In Portuguese, nouns must match the gender of the person they describe.
- Gender Rules
- Use 'irmão' for a male and 'irmã' for a female. For plural, 'irmãos' can mean only males or a mixed group.
Eu tenho duas irmãs e um irmão.
When describing the order of birth, we use 'mais velho' (older) and 'mais novo' (younger). Unlike English, which has the specific word 'siblings', Portuguese relies on the masculine plural 'irmãos' to cover the general concept of brothers and sisters.
- Possessives
- Always use the correct possessive: 'o meu irmão', 'a minha irmã'.
A irmã dele é médica.
You will hear these words daily in any Portuguese-speaking environment. From family dinners to casual street conversations, 'irmão' is ubiquitous.
- Daily Life
- In families, siblings often call each other by name, but refer to each other as 'meu irmão' when talking to others.
Fala, irmão! Tudo bem?
In music, especially Samba, Pagode, and Rap, 'irmão' is used to address the community or a close friend. It signifies a shared struggle or a shared joy.
The most frequent mistake for English speakers is looking for a gender-neutral word for 'sibling'. There isn't one. You must choose 'irmão' or 'irmã'.
- The 'Siblings' Trap
- Don't say 'meus parentes' when you mean 'my siblings'. 'Parentes' means relatives (uncles, cousins, etc.).
Quantos irmãos você tem? (Asking for total siblings).
Another mistake is the pluralization of 'irmão'. It is 'irmãos', not 'irmões'. This is a common irregular plural pattern in Portuguese that learners often trip over.
Several words share the semantic space of 'irmão', ranging from formal to very slangy.
- Mano / Mana
- Very common informal terms for brother/sister or close friend.
- Brother
- In Brazil, the English word 'brother' is used as slang for a close male friend.
Ele é meu mano do peito.
How Formal Is It?
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Difficulty Rating
Grammar to Know
Examples by Level
Eu tenho um irmão.
I have one brother.
Simple subject-verb-object.
Ela tem uma irmã.
She has a sister.
Feminine agreement.
O meu irmão chama-se Pedro.
My brother's name is Pedro.
Possessive 'o meu'.
Você tem irmãos?
Do you have siblings?
Plural 'irmãos' for siblings.
Minha irmã é alta.
My sister is tall.
Adjective agreement.
Dois irmãos moram aqui.
Two brothers live here.
Plural noun.
A irmã dela é pequena.
Her sister is small.
Possessive 'dela'.
Não tenho irmãos.
I don't have siblings.
Negative sentence.
O meu irmão mais velho é médico.
My older brother is a doctor.
Comparative 'mais velho'.
Eu moro com a minha irmã mais nova.
I live with my younger sister.
Preposition 'com'.
Os meus irmãos estudam na universidade.
My siblings study at the university.
Plural agreement.
A minha irmã gosta de ler.
My sister likes to read.
Verb 'gostar de'.
O irmão dele viaja muito.
His brother travels a lot.
Third person singular.
Somos três irmãos no total.
We are three siblings in total.
Verb 'ser'.
A irmã da Maria é simpática.
Maria's sister is nice.
Genitive 'da Maria'.
O meu irmão e eu jogamos futebol.
My brother and I play football.
Compound subject.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
Como vai, irmão?
Ele é meu irmão.
Somos como irmãos.
Irmãos de alma.
Irmãos de armas.
Paz, irmão.
Meu irmão do peito.
Coisa de irmão.
Briga de irmãos.
Amor de irmão.
Often Confused With
Idioms & Expressions
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Easily Confused
Sentence Patterns
How to Use It
In Portugal, it is common to use the definite article before the name: 'O meu irmão'. In some parts of Brazil, it is omitted: 'Meu irmão'.
- Using 'parentes' to mean siblings.
- Saying 'irmões' instead of 'irmãos'.
- Forgetting gender agreement with 'irmã'.
- Not nasalizing the 'ão' sound.
- Using 'irmão' for a sister.
Tips
Plural Rule
Nouns ending in -ão often have irregular plurals. Irmão -> Irmãos.
Slang
In Brazil, 'irmão' is like 'bro'. Use it with friends.
Age
Use 'mais velho' for older and 'mais novo' for younger.
Nasalization
The 'ão' is nasal. Practice by holding your nose.
Siblings
If you have one brother and ten sisters, you still say 'Tenho 11 irmãos'.
Friendship
Calling a friend 'irmão' shows deep trust.
Church
Expect to be called 'irmão' in Brazilian churches.
Spelling
Don't forget the tilde (~) over the 'a'.
Context
Context tells you if 'irmão' is biological or figurative.
Importance
Siblings are usually very close in Lusophone cultures.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Imagine an 'Ear' (Ir) and a 'Man' (mão) - Your brother is the man you whisper in the ear of.
Word Origin
Latin
Cultural Context
Used very informally as 'mano'.
More traditional usage, 'mano' is used by younger generations.
Standard greeting in many Christian denominations.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
Conversation Starters
"Você tem irmãos?"
"Como é o seu irmão?"
"Você se dá bem com a sua irmã?"
"Quantos irmãos você tem?"
"O seu irmão mora perto de você?"
Journal Prompts
Descreva o seu irmão ou irmã.
Como seria sua vida se você fosse filho único?
Qual é a sua melhor memória com seu irmão?
O que significa ser um bom irmão?
Você tem um amigo que é como um irmão?
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsYou use the masculine plural 'irmãos'.
No, it can be used for close friends or religious peers.
The plural is 'irmãs'.
You say 'meio-irmão'.
It means the youngest brother.
No, it's just very informal slang.
No, you should use 'irmã' or 'mana'.
You say 'irmão de consideração' or 'meio-irmão' depending on the context.
It is a nasal sound, like the 'on' in 'bon' but more open.
In Portugal yes, in Brazil it is optional.
Test Yourself 180 questions
Write a sentence about your brother.
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Write a sentence about your sister.
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Translate: 'My older brother lives in Porto.'
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Translate: 'Do you have siblings?'
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Describe your siblings in three sentences.
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Write a short dialogue using 'mano'.
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Translate: 'She is like a sister to me.'
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Translate: 'My younger sister is a student.'
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Write about a famous pair of siblings.
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Translate: 'We are brothers in faith.'
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Translate: 'I have no brothers or sisters.'
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Translate: 'His brother is very funny.'
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Translate: 'My siblings are at school.'
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Translate: 'I love my sister.'
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Translate: 'Are they brothers?'
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Write a sentence with 'irmão caçula'.
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Write a sentence with 'irmãos gêmeos'.
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Translate: 'My sister's name is Maria.'
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Translate: 'I live with my brother.'
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Translate: 'Brotherhood is important.'
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Say 'I have a brother' in Portuguese.
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Say 'My sister is here' in Portuguese.
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Ask 'Do you have siblings?'
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Introduce your brother: 'This is my brother.'
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Say 'I have two sisters.'
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Say 'He is my older brother.'
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Say 'She is my younger sister.'
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Say 'We are brothers.'
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Say 'I love my siblings.'
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Say 'My brother is a doctor.'
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Say 'My sister lives in Brazil.'
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Say 'I don't have any siblings.'
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Say 'They are twin brothers.'
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Say 'My brother is tall.'
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Say 'My sister is nice.'
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Say 'Where is your brother?'
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Say 'My brother's name is Carlos.'
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Say 'My sister is a student.'
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Say 'I have a big family with many siblings.'
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Say 'Peace, brother!' (religious).
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Listen and write: 'O meu irmão é alto.'
Listen and write: 'A minha irmã estuda muito.'
Listen and write: 'Eu tenho três irmãos.'
Listen and write: 'Onde mora seu irmão?'
Listen and write: 'Minha irmã é mais nova.'
Listen and write: 'Eles são irmãos?'
Listen and write: 'Meu irmão viajou ontem.'
Listen and write: 'A irmã dele é médica.'
Listen and write: 'Somos irmãos de sangue.'
Listen and write: 'Fala, meu irmão!'
Listen and write: 'Minha irmã gosta de música.'
Listen and write: 'O irmão dela é professor.'
Listen and write: 'Eu e meu irmão jogamos tênis.'
Listen and write: 'Quantos irmãos você tem?'
Listen and write: 'A irmandade é para sempre.'
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Perfect score!
Summary
The word 'irmão/ã' is essential for describing family. Remember that 'irmãos' is the default plural for a mixed-gender group of siblings.
- Irmão means brother; Irmã means sister.
- Use 'irmãos' for the plural of siblings (mixed).
- It can also mean a very close friend.
- Commonly used in religious and informal contexts.
Plural Rule
Nouns ending in -ão often have irregular plurals. Irmão -> Irmãos.
Slang
In Brazil, 'irmão' is like 'bro'. Use it with friends.
Age
Use 'mais velho' for older and 'mais novo' for younger.
Nasalization
The 'ão' is nasal. Practice by holding your nose.
Example
Meu irmão mais velho mora em Lisboa.
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