Soy única hija

Question

Hi all,

Watching my Spanish video lessons this morning and saw a woman say ¨soy única hija¨

I suppose that could mean ¨I´m an-the only daughter¨.

My question is, could it also mean ¨I´m an only child¨.

Are both valid possible interpretations, meaning the phrase is ambiguous?

Thanks.

Roger

it can mean both, she could well have five brothers, especially in a Catholic family. - annierats, Jan 13, 2013

I'm wrong, see new answer. - annierats, Jan 13, 2013

Answer 1

As a separate clause, we say "soy hija(o) única(o).

To say this in reverse order, we would say it within a sentence, ie: "Soy la única hija de la familia."

Totally agree. Got my vote. - DualG, Jan 13, 2013

That makes sense. - katydew, Jan 13, 2013

Answer 2

No, you use 'niño' for a 'non-gender specified' child.

As far as I know, you say "Soy único hijo" when you mean to say that you are the only male child and "Soy el hijo único" when you are an only child.

Hijo único, th only child, hija única, the only daughter, there is a difference! - annierats, Jan 13, 2013

Answer 3

"la unica hija" is specific to "only daughter." You can be the only daughter, but still have brothers.

Sí, así es. - annierats, Jan 13, 2013

hija única, the only daughter but may have five brothers, it is no help really, she is still hija única. - annierats, Jan 13, 2013

Answer 4

From SD dictionary: only
? ?
sólo
? adverbio
[???nl?]
adjetivo
1. único(a)

only child -> hijo(a) (sustantivo masculino o femenino) único(a)

My attempted reasoning:

In English, the "an" is used for a proper English sentence. In Spanish, the "an" is implied like the "a" in Spanish is sometimes not translated from the English.

My answer doesn't support or deny "Soy único hijo". I don't know, it's interesting, Marijke! - bandit51jd, Jan 13, 2013

Answer 5

Soy hija única- I'm the only child ( a daughter)

Soy única hija ( I'm the only daughter in a family of other siblings)

Thanks Rog, it caused me to do a cosniderable amount of looking up! We learn something every day..

Soy la hija mayor en una familia de cuatro hijas..¡ No somos únicas!

I have 3 sisters, myself.