In this workshop you will practice polite questions about family. You will learn how to ask if someone has siblings, how to ask how many, and how to ask what parents do for work. You will also practice reacting with interest. All native examples come from short recordings. Listen, repeat, and then try the three tasks. You can play both roles with the audio, but there is no automatic assessment, so use the answer keys to check yourself.
Asking About Siblings
Start with a simple yes-or-no question. The line «¿Tienes hermanos?» means 'Do you have siblings?' The word 'hermanos' can mean brothers or siblings, so it often covers both. If the person says yes, you can ask for a number. The line «¿Cuántos hermanos tienes?» means 'How many siblings do you have?' Notice that the verb 'tienes' is the tú form, used with friends or people your age. In a more formal situation, you would change the verb, but for now practice these two questions. Listen to the recording, repeat slowly, then say it at natural speed. Keep your voice friendly and curious.
Asking About Parents' Work
To ask about parents' jobs, you have two common options. The line «¿A qué se dedican tus papás?» means 'What do your parents do?' The phrase 'se dedican' comes from 'dedicarse a', which is a natural way to ask about work. The word 'papás' is warm and common in Latin America. A slightly more formal option is «¿En qué trabajan tus padres?», which means 'What do your parents work in?' Here 'trabajan en' takes the preposition 'en'. Both questions are polite. Choose one and practice it until it feels comfortable. Then try the other. Pay attention to the small word 'a' in «¿A qué se dedican tus papás?» and 'en' in «¿En qué trabajan tus padres?».
Listening to a Short Exchange
Now listen to a short conversation. Speaker A asks «¿Tienes hermanos?», which means 'Do you have siblings?' Speaker B answers with «Sí, tengo una hermana y un hermano. ¿Y tú?», meaning 'Yes, I have a sister and a brother. And you?' Then Speaker A replies with «Yo soy hijo único. ¿A qué se dedican tus papás?», which means 'I'm an only child. What do your parents do?' Finally, Speaker B answers with «Mi mamá es maestra y mi papá es cocinero. ¡Qué interesante!», meaning 'My mom is a teacher and my dad is a cook. How interesting!' Notice how Speaker B shows interest with '¡Qué interesante!' You can use this reaction after someone shares information. Practice the exchange by playing both roles. First, read along with the audio. Then try to say your part without looking.
Listen once, then say the phrase yourself. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Checking available voices…
¿Tienes hermanos?
Do you have siblings?
TYEH-nehs ehr-MAH-nohs
¿Cuántos hermanos tienes?
How many siblings do you have?
KWAHN-tohs ehr-MAH-nohs TYEH-nehs
¿A qué se dedican tus papás?
What do your parents do?
ah keh seh deh-DEE-kahn toos pah-PAHS
¿En qué trabajan tus padres?
What do your parents work in?
ehn keh trah-BAH-hahn toos PAH-drehs
Read one side aloud, then answer in your own words. The goal is to make the exchange yours.
¿Tienes hermanos?
Do you have siblings?Sí, tengo una hermana y un hermano. ¿Y tú?
Yes, I have a sister and a brother. And you?Yo soy hijo único. ¿A qué se dedican tus papás?
I'm an only child. What do your parents do?Mi mamá es maestra y mi papá es cocinero. ¡Qué interesante!
My mom is a teacher and my dad is a cook. How interesting!Your turn
Try each prompt out loud. Choose a guided start, the full sequence, or a challenge pass after your first attempt.
Guided Exchange: Ask and Answer
You will play both roles in a short conversation. Use the recorded lines as your model. Imagine you are talking with a new friend.
Your task: First, play the role of Speaker A. Ask if the other person has siblings using «¿Tienes hermanos?». Then ask how many using «¿Cuántos hermanos tienes?». Next, play the role of Speaker B. Answer with «Sí, tengo una hermana y un hermano. ¿Y tú?». Then ask the same question back using '¿Y tú?' Finally, switch back to Speaker A and answer with «Yo soy hijo único. ¿A qué se dedican tus papás?», then ask about parents' work using «¿A qué se dedican tus papás?».
Reply Comprehension: Choose the Right Response
You will hear a question and choose the best reply from two options. This checks if you understand the question and can respond appropriately.
Your task: Listen to «¿Cuántos hermanos tienes?», which means 'How many siblings do you have?' Which reply is better: (a) 'Sí, tengo una hermana y un hermano.' or (b) 'Tengo una hermana y un hermano.'? Then listen to «¿A qué se dedican tus papás?», which means 'What do your parents do?' Which reply is better: (a) 'Mi mamá es maestra y mi papá es cocinero.' or (b) 'Sí, tengo dos hermanos.'? Say your chosen reply out loud.
Recall and Role-Play: Who Says What?
You will recall the short exchange and practice both roles without looking at the text. This helps you remember the questions and answers.
Your task: First, listen to the exchange from «¿Tienes hermanos?» to «Mi mamá es maestra y mi papá es cocinero. ¡Qué interesante!». Then close your eyes and try to remember: Who asks '¿Tienes hermanos?' Who answers 'Sí, tengo una hermana y un hermano. ¿Y tú?' Who says 'Yo soy hijo único'? Who says 'Mi mamá es maestra y mi papá es cocinero'? After you answer, play both roles: first Speaker A, then Speaker B. Use the recorded lines as your guide.
Common questions
What is the difference between 'hermanos' and 'hermanas'?
'Hermanos' can mean brothers or siblings in general. If you want to be explicit about sisters, you can add 'y hermanas'. For example, '¿Tienes hermanos y hermanas?' means 'Do you have brothers and sisters?' The recorded question «¿Tienes hermanos?» uses 'hermanos' as a general term.
When should I use 'papás' instead of 'padres'?
'Papás' is warm and common in Latin America, used in everyday conversation. 'Padres' is more neutral and slightly more formal. Both are correct. The recorded question «¿A qué se dedican tus papás?» uses 'papás', while «¿En qué trabajan tus padres?» uses 'padres'. You can choose based on the situation and your relationship with the person.
Sources and further reading
- spanish: ask about friends familyChecked September 2026
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