Ho una sorella e un fratello.

I have one sister and one brother.

Pronunciation

'Sorella' = so-REL-la — double 'l'. 'Fratello' = fra-TEL-lo — double 'l'. Both clearly articulated.

When to use it

Mention siblings naturally in a self-introduction when family comes up, or when someone asks about your background. Family information creates personal connection and is valued in Italian culture.

What it means

'Ho' is the first-person singular of 'avere' (to have). The indefinite article 'una' is used before feminine nouns starting with a consonant, 'un' before masculine nouns. This is a fundamental A1 structure.

Variations

Siamo in quattro in famiglia.

There are four of us in the family.

'Siamo in + number' — a natural way to describe family size.

Sono figlia/o unica/o.

I am an only child.

For those without siblings — 'unica/o' agrees with the speaker's gender.

Ho tre fratelli maggiori.

I have three older brothers.

'Maggiore' (older/elder) and 'minore' (younger) are essential family vocabulary.

Mini Dialogue

— Hai fratelli o sorelle? — Ho una sorella e un fratello. La sorella è più grande, il fratello è il più piccolo. — Sei il figlio di mezzo? — Esatto! La posizione più difficile, dicono tutti!

— Do you have brothers or sisters? — I have one sister and one brother. My sister is older, my brother is the youngest. — You're the middle child? — Exactly! The hardest position, everyone says!

Cultural Note

Middle children are a running joke in Italian family culture — believed to be overlooked between the responsible firstborn and spoiled youngest. It's a light-hearted topic that many Italians can relate to.

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Sono appassionato/a di arte.

Vivo con il mio compagno.

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