SpeeekDownload on the App Store
Back to Talk About Me

German Phrase

Ich hab' zwei ältere Schwestern.

/ɪç hap t͡svaɪ ˈɛltəʁə ˈʃvɛstɐn/
Meaning"I have two older sisters."
💡

Meaning

This phrase is used to describe one's family composition, specifically indicating the presence of two female siblings who are older. The word 'hab'' is a common spoken contraction of 'habe', making the sentence sound more natural and conversational.

🎯

When to use

Use this phrase during introductions, social gatherings, or when someone asks if you have any siblings (Geschwister). It is suitable for informal daily communication.

✦Grammar Breakdown

Ichhab'zweiältereSchwestern

1

Hab'

A colloquial contraction of 'habe'. Dropping the final 'e' is standard in spoken German.

2

Ältere

The comparative form of 'alt' (old). It takes the '-e' ending to agree with the plural accusative noun 'Schwestern'.

3

Schwestern

The plural form of 'die Schwester'. Most feminine nouns ending in -er add -n to form the plural.

🗨In Conversation

A

Hast du Geschwister?

Do you have siblings?

Ja, ich hab' zwei ältere Schwestern.

Yes, I have two older sisters.

B

✕Common Mistakes

  • Ich habe zwei alt Schwestern.

    Adjectives preceding a plural noun in the accusative case must have the correct ending, here 'ältere'.

  • Ich bin zwei ältere Schwestern.

    In German, you 'have' siblings using the verb 'haben', you don't 'are' them.

↔Alternatives

  • Ich habe zwei große Schwestern.

    I have two big sisters.

  • Ich habe ein Paar ältere Schwestern.

    I have a pair of older sisters.

de

Cultural Tip

In German-speaking cultures, it is very common to drop the 'e' in 'habe' when speaking casually. While 'große Schwester' (big sister) is also understood, 'ältere Schwester' is the more precise way to denote age hierarchy.