What is sister? Pronunciation and usage in English

sister means . Learn how to pronounce and use sister through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of sister

sisternoun

/ˈsɪstə/
Definition & pronunciation of sister

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "sister" in English. Here's a breakdown:

The most common and generally accepted pronunciation is:

  • /ˈsɪstər/ (This is using the International Phonetic Alphabet - IPA)

Let's break that down syllable by syllable:

  1. "Sis-" - This is pronounced like "siss" - as in the sound you make when you sneeze. It's a quick, short "s" sound.

  2. "-ter" - This is pronounced like "ter" as in "term." It's a short, clear "t" sound followed by a short "er" sound.

Putting it together:

It's a very smooth, quick flow of sounds. Think of saying "siss-ter" quickly.

Tips for getting it right:

  • Don't overemphasize the "s." It's a quick, subtle sound.
  • The "er" at the end should be a short "er," not a long "ear" sound.

Resources for hearing it:

  • Google: Simply search "how to pronounce sister" on Google and you’ll find audio clips.
  • Forvo: https://forvo.com/word/sister/ – This website lets you hear the word pronounced by native speakers from different regions.

Do you want me to:

  • Give you an example sentence using the word?
  • Compare it to a similar-sounding word?

Usage and examples with the word sister in English

Let's break down how to use the word "sister" in English. It's a pretty common word, but there are nuances to its usage.

1. Basic Definition:

  • Sister: A female sibling – a child of one’s parents. This is the most common meaning.
    • Example: "My sister is coming to visit next week."

2. Types of Sisters:

  • Full Sister: A child born to the same parents as another person. (This is the most common usage in family discussions.)

    • Example: "I have two sisters: Emily and Sarah."

  • Half Sister: A child born to one parent by a different marriage or relationship.

    • Example: “My half-sister lives in Australia.”

  • Adoptive Sister: A child who is legally adopted into a family and considered a sibling.

    • Example: “She’s my adoptive sister, and we grew up together.”

  • Step-Sister: The sister of your stepparent.

    • Example: "My step-sister is a really talented musician."

  • Twin Sister: A sister who was born at the same time as another person.

    • Example: "My twin sister and I are very close."

3. Ways to Use "Sister" in Sentences:

  • Referring to someone directly: “My sister, Jessica, is a doctor.”
  • Introducing someone: “This is my sister, Maria.”
  • Describing a relationship: "I'm very close to my sister."
  • Expressing affection: “I love my sister very much.”
  • Talking about shared experiences: “My sister and I used to build forts in the woods.”
  • In idioms/phrases: (These are more advanced)
    • "Sisterhood": A group of women who have a close bond. “The women’s group fostered a strong sense of sisterhood.”
    • "Don't be a sister to everyone" (informal): Don't be overly nice or accommodating to everyone; be discerning.

4. Pronouns:

  • You use "she" or "her" when referring to your sister.
    • Example: “She is studying at college.”

5. Casual vs. Formal:

  • “Sister” is generally a casual term. In very formal writing, you might use “female sibling.” However, in everyday conversation, "sister" is perfectly appropriate.

Resources for Further Learning:

To help me give you even more targeted information, could you tell me:

  • Are you trying to use "sister" in a specific context (e.g., writing a story, talking to a friend)?
  • Do you have a particular question about how to use it (e.g., "How do I talk about my step-sister?")

Synonyms for the word sister

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