Family Members in Spanish
Family vocabulary is one of the first things you can use in a real conversation. Many words follow the simple pattern of -o for masculine and -a for feminine. A few have special forms, and the masculine plural can include everyone, which surprises English speakers.
Quick answer
- Most family words change with -o / -a: hermano (brother), hermana (sister)
- The masculine plural also means mixed groups: mis hermanos (my brothers, or my brother and sister)
- In Mexico, papás means parents: Mis papás viven en Puebla.
Close family
Start with the words you will use most. Madre and padre are standard, while mamá and papá are what most people say in conversation.
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| la madre, la mamá | mother, mom |
| el padre, el papá | father, dad |
| los padres, los papás | parents |
| el hermano, la hermana | brother, sister |
| el hijo, la hija | son, daughter |
| los hijos | children (sons and daughters) |
| el esposo, la esposa | husband, wife |
| el abuelo, la abuela | grandfather, grandmother |
| los abuelos | grandparents |
Examples
- Mi madre es doctora.My mother is a doctor.La madre.
- Mis papás viven en Puebla.My parents live in Puebla.Papás for parents, common in Mexico.
- Tengo dos hermanos y una hermana.I have two brothers and a sister.Hermanos can be mixed.
- Mi abuela cocina muy bien.My grandmother cooks very well.La abuela.
Extended family
Aunts, uncles, and cousins follow the same -o / -a pattern. The plural los tíos can mean “uncles” or “aunt and uncle.” Los primos means “cousins,” including girls.
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| el tío, la tía | uncle, aunt |
| el primo, la prima | cousin |
| el sobrino, la sobrina | nephew, niece |
| el nieto, la nieta | grandson, granddaughter |
| el cuñado, la cuñada | brother-in-law, sister-in-law |
| el suegro, la suegra | father-in-law, mother-in-law |
| el yerno, la nuera | son-in-law, daughter-in-law |
Examples
- Mi tío vive en Estados Unidos.My uncle lives in the United States.Tío.
- Mis primos vienen a la fiesta.My cousins are coming to the party.Plural.
- Mi suegra hace unos tamales deliciosos.My mother-in-law makes delicious tamales.Suegra.
- Tengo una sobrina de tres años.I have a three-year-old niece.Sobrina.
Describing your family
Use ser to describe people and tener for how many people you have. To ask about someone’s family, say ¿Tienes hermanos? or ¿Cómo es tu familia?.
Examples
- ¿Tienes hermanos?Do you have siblings?A common question.
- Somos cinco en mi familia.There are five of us in my family.Somos plus a number.
- Mi hermano mayor se llama Pablo.My older brother is named Pablo.Mayor means older.
- Soy hijo único.I am an only child.Hijo único or hija única.
Little words: mayor, menor, and diminutives
To say older or younger, use mayor and menor: mi hermana menor is “my younger sister.” In Mexico, families often use diminutives with a warm tone, like abuelita, tío becoming tito, and hijito.
Examples
- Mi hermana menor estudia medicina.My younger sister studies medicine.Menor means younger.
- Mi abuelita me llama todos los domingos.My grandma calls me every Sunday.Abuelita is affectionate.
Spanish around the world
- In Mexico, papás and mamá are the everyday words, and mi jefa and mi jefe can be slang for mom and dad. In Spain, padres is a bit more common in conversation. Both are understood everywhere.
Common mistakes
Incorrect: Mi hermano y mi hermana son simpáticas.
Correct: Mi hermano y mi hermana son simpáticos.
A mixed group takes the masculine plural.
Incorrect: Tengo dos hermanos. (two sisters)
Correct: Tengo dos hermanas.
Use hermanas if all siblings are girls.
Incorrect: Mi madre es mi papá.
Correct: Mi madre es mi mamá.
Do not mix mother and father words.
Incorrect: La mi abuela.
Correct: Mi abuela.
Do not combine an article with the short possessive.
Remember the pattern
- Many family words switch between -o and -a: hermano, hermana.
- The masculine plural can include everyone: los hermanos, los tíos, los primos.
- In Mexico, papás means parents and mamá and papá are the everyday words.
Mini practice
5 quick questions. You get feedback right after each answer.
Frequently asked questions
How do I say ‘parents’ in Spanish?
Say los padres or los papás. In Mexico, papás is very common.
How do I say ‘cousin’ for a girl?
Say la prima. The plural los primos covers boys and girls.
What is the Spanish word for ‘stepmother’?
La madrastra. Stepfather is el padrastro. Many families simply say la esposa de mi papá.
Is ‘hermano’ only for brothers?
It means brother. The plural hermanos can mean “siblings” when the group is mixed.
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