What does the underlined word mean in the following sentence?
La hermanita de Paola se llama Natalia.
Hermanita is the word
aunt
sister-in-law
little sister
niece
The Correct Answer and Explanation is :
The correct answer is little sister.
Explanation:
In the sentence “La hermanita de Paola se llama Natalia,” the word “hermanita” is a diminutive form of “hermana,” which means sister in Spanish. The suffix “-ita” is commonly used in Spanish to create a diminutive form, which generally indicates something smaller or more affectionate. Therefore, “hermanita” translates to “little sister” or “little sister” in an affectionate sense.
In Spanish, diminutives are used not only to denote size but also to express affection, tenderness, or endearment. For example:
- Gatito means “kitten,” which is a diminutive form of “gato” (cat).
- Cochecito means “little car” or “toy car,” from “coche” (car).
In this context, “hermanita” indicates that Paola’s sister is younger or smaller, but the word also conveys affection, as it is often used by a sibling when referring to a younger sister with tenderness. The word “hermanita” would not refer to a person who is not a sister or who is older; it’s specifically used for a sibling, usually a younger one, in an affectionate way.
Here’s a breakdown of the other options:
- Aunt in Spanish is “tía”, not “hermanita.”
- Sister-in-law in Spanish is “cuñada,” which is also not the correct word here.
- Niece in Spanish is “sobrina,” not “hermanita.”
Thus, “hermanita” is best translated as “little sister.”