German for English speakers School · Lesson 5

Asking about family members

Family in German — Hast du Geschwister? (Do you have siblings?) — and Nein, ich habe keine for negation.

Conversation

Pronunciation Translations Tips

Lindo

Haben Sie Brüder oder Schwestern?

Do you have brothers or sisters?

Tip: <Brüder> = Brother <oder> = Or <Schwestern> = Sister
Cassian

Nein, ich habe keine Geschwister.

No, I don't have siblings.

Tip: Instead of saying <Brüder oder Schwestern>, you can say <Geschwister>.
Lindo

Haben Sie einen Hund oder eine Katze?

Do you have a dog or a cat?
Cassian

Nein, ich habe weder noch, aber ich habe einen Roboter.

No, I don't. But I have a robot.

Quick answers about this lesson's grammar and vocabulary.

What is the German word for 'siblings'?

Die Geschwister — singular and plural same. Includes brothers and sisters. Hast du Geschwister? = 'do you have siblings?'.

How do you negate 'I have ...' in German?

Use kein/keine: Ich habe keine Geschwister (no siblings). For 'I don't have any (mentioned thing)': Ich habe keine.

Common German family words?

Bruder/Schwester (brother/sister), Vater/Mutter (father/mother), Onkel/Tante (uncle/aunt), Cousin/Cousine, Großvater/Großmutter, Neffe/Nichte.