Portuguese Phrase
Tenho duas irmãs mais velhas.
Meaning
This phrase indicates the speaker has two female siblings who were born before them. It uses the verb 'ter' (to have) in the first-person singular and the comparative 'mais velhas' to denote age seniority.
When to use
Use this when describing your family structure or answering questions about how many siblings you have. It is common in both casual introductions and formal biographical contexts.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Tenhoduasirmãsmais velhas
Ter (Tenho)
The verb 'ter' is used to express possession and age; here it is conjugated in the present tense for 'Eu' (I).
Gender Agreement
'Duas' and 'velhas' are feminine to match the noun 'irmãs'. In Portuguese, almost all parts of a sentence must agree with the noun's gender.
🗨In Conversation
Você tem irmãos ou irmãs?
Do you have brothers or sisters?
Sim, tenho duas irmãs mais velhas.
Yes, I have two older sisters.
✕Common Mistakes
Tenho dois irmãs mais velhas.
The number 'two' must agree with the feminine gender of 'irmãs', so use 'duas' instead of 'dois'.
Tenho duas irmãs mais velhos.
Adjectives must agree in gender and number with the noun they modify; 'velhas' matches the feminine plural 'irmãs'.
↔Alternatives
Sou o caçula de três, com duas irmãs mais velhas.
I am the youngest of three, with two older sisters.
Minhas duas irmãs são mais velhas do que eu.
My two sisters are older than me.
Cultural Tip
In Portuguese-speaking cultures, family is a primary topic of conversation. Using 'mais velha' is the most natural way to express seniority; while 'irmã maior' is sometimes heard in specific regions, 'mais velha' is universally understood and preferred.