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A guide to saying it like a local

How to Say "I have one child" in Spanish

Say 'Tengo un hijo' to state you have one child in Spanish. It's a common and direct way to share family details.

Tengo un hijo.

TEN-goh oon EE-hohneutral

A single phrase, broken down

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Use this phrase when someone asks about your children or family size. It's a straightforward answer to questions like '¿Cuántos hijos tienes?' (How many children do you have?).

Alternatives

  • Tengo una hija.Use this if your one child is female.
  • Solo tengo un hijo.Use this to emphasize that you have only one child.

Ways to get it wrong

Confusing 'hijo' with 'hueso'

'Hijo' means child or son, while 'hueso' means bone.

Pronouncing 'h' like in English

The 'h' in Spanish is silent; it's pronounced like 'EE-hoh', not 'HEE-hoh'.

A small cultural note

In many Spanish-speaking cultures, family is very important, and discussing children is a common topic of conversation.

Frequently asked

How to say I have one son in Spanish?

You can say 'Tengo un hijo.' This specifically refers to a male child.

What's the difference between hijo and hija?

'Hijo' is used for a son or a child of unspecified gender, while 'hija' is used for a daughter.

Is 'Tengo un hijo' formal or informal?

'Tengo un hijo' is considered neutral and can be used in most social situations, from casual chats to more formal introductions.