A guide to saying it like a local
How to Say "My older brother" in Spanish
Say 'mi hermano mayor' to refer to your older brother in Spanish. Simple and direct.
mi hermano mayor
mee air-MAH-noh my-YORneutral
Spanish TTS · 0:01
Use this when talking about your sibling who is older than you. For example, you might say 'Mi hermano mayor vive en Madrid' (My older brother lives in Madrid).
Alternatives
- mi hermano grandeMore common in some regions, but 'mayor' is more universally understood for age.
- mi hermano de arribaA very informal, colloquial way to say it in some places.
Ways to get it wrong
Confusing 'mayor' with 'mayor'
While 'mayor' means older, 'mayor' (as in 'alcalde') means mayor of a town.
Using 'más viejo'
While 'más viejo' means older, it's often used for things or people you don't know well; 'mayor' is better for family.
A small cultural note
Family ties are strong in many Spanish-speaking cultures, and acknowledging birth order is common.
Frequently asked
how to say my younger brother in spanish
To say 'my younger brother,' you'd use 'mi hermano menor.' This follows the same pattern as 'mayor' for older.
mi hermano mayor vs mi hermano grande
'Mi hermano mayor' is the most standard and widely understood way to say 'my older brother.' 'Mi hermano grande' is used in some places but can be ambiguous.
do you need to say 'mi' before hermano mayor
Yes, you almost always need the possessive 'mi' (my) before 'hermano mayor' when referring to your specific brother.
