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spanish family photo
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Jack Hollingsworth / Photodisc / Getty
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Used under Getty Images license
Family is the center of life in Spanish-speaking cultures and is a common topic of everyday conversation. Whether somebody is talking about their own family or asking you about yours, make sure to learn these important vocabulary words so that you are prepared.
Immediate Family
This is the vocabulary that you will probably hear and use the most when talking about family.
los padres | parents |
el padre | father |
el papá | dad, daddy |
la madre | mother |
la mamá | mom, mommy |
el hijo | son |
la hija | daughter |
los hijos | children (boys and girls) |
el esposo, marido | husband |
la esposa | wife |
el hermano | brother |
la hermana | sister |
los hermanos | siblings (boys and girls) |
Extended Family
In Spanish-speaking countries, the extended family is just as important as the nuclear one so it’s good to have a solid understanding of these vocabulary terms.
los parientes | relatives |
el abuelo | grandfather |
la abuela | grandmother |
los abuelos | grandparents |
el nieto | grandson |
la nieta | granddaughter |
los nietos | grandchildren |
el tío | uncle |
la tía | aunt |
los tios | aunt(s) and uncle(s) |
el primo | cousin (male) |
la prima | cousin (female) |
los primos | cousins (male and female) |
el sobrino | nephew |
la sobrina | niece |
los sobrinos | nieces and nephews |
The Mixed Family
In today’s society, the mixed family is becoming the norm. If you have a blended family, it is a good idea to memorize the vocabulary that pertains to you in order to accurately describe the makeup of your family.
el padrastro | stepfather |
la madrastra | stepmother |
los padrastros | stepparents |
el hijastro | stepson |
la hijastra | stepdaughter |
los hijastros | stepchildren |
el hermanastro | stepbrother |
la hermanastra | stepsister |
los hermanastros | stepbrothers and sisters |
el medio hermano | half-brother |
la media hermana | half-sister |
The In-Laws
If you are married, you may find that you spend a lot of time talking about your in-laws. Some of these terms are a bit more complicated than other family vocabulary, so start by learning the ones that you use the most before learning additional terms.
el suegro | father-in-law |
la suegra | mother-in-law |
los suegros | mother and father-in-law |
el yerno | son-in-law |
la nuera | daughter-in-law |
el cuñado | brother-in-law |
la cuñada | sister-in-law |
Useful Expressions to Talk About Family Relationships
tengo + number + siblings/uncles/aunts etc
Example: Tengo tres hermanos - una hermana y dos hermanos. → I have three siblings - one sister and two brothers.
mi familia + es + adjective → my family + is + adjective
Example: Mi familia es muy grande. → My family is really big.
presentar a alguien → to introduce someone
Example: Te presento a mi esposa. → I present you to my wife (this is my wife).
él/ella + es + relationship to you → he/she + is + relationship to you
Example: Él es mi tío. → He is my uncle.
*Remember that we almost always use possessive pronouns (mi, tu, su, sus, vuestro/a/os/as, nuestro/a/os/as) when talking about family.
Examples:
Ellos son nuestros abuelos. → They are my grandparents.
Ella es su tía. → She is her/his aunt.
parecerse a alguien → to look like someone
Example: Jorge se parece a su padre. → Jorge looks like his father.
There is a high probability that the next Spanish conversation that you hear or participate in will mention family. Make sure to take the time to learn vocabulary to talk about family as it will definitely be put to good use!