how to phrase this question

[yuanmingqing]

If you wish to ask someone his position among his brothers and sisters, how can I phrase my question? Help please!

Yuanmingqing

 

[Raymott]

If you wish to ask someone his position among his brothers and sisters, how can I phrase my question? Help please!

Yuanmingqing

"Where do you come in your family?"

 

[5jj]

This is often asked here. Type 'whichth' in the Search box, and you will be taken to several threads in which this is discussed.

 

[Raymott]

"Where do you come in your family?"

Wow. The fact that this was another 'whichth' question went straight over my head this time!

 

[5jj]

Wow. The fact that this was another 'whichth' question went straight over my head this time!

The how manieth time is it that that has happened?;-)

ps: Note to learners: My question is not good English!

 

[Michael84]

WoW I have read two of the threads you suggested and it surprises me that English doesn't have a simple word for this "whichth" question...

 

[5jj]

WoW I have read two of the threads you suggested and it surprises me that English doesn't have a simple word for this "whichth" question...

We are often surprised by the importance that some cultures appear to place on the 'whichth' sibling you are in your family.

However, I admit that it might be useful if we had a 'whichth' for such questions as "The 'whichth' president of the USA was Truman?". In informal conversation, some people use 'how manieth', but I do not recommend this to learners.

 

[Barb_D]

In real life in this particular question, you can also say something like "Are you the oldest? Youngest?" and the person won't answer "Yes" or "No."

They will give you the details.

"I have an older sister, and then a younger brother and two more sisters." Or "One older sister, and then three younger siblings than me."

Or maybe something like "I'm in the middle of the mob."

Or "I've got one brother who's only 14 months younger, and a whole parcel of older sisters who treated the two of us like their little living baby dolls."