Family Members in Spanish: A1 Beginner’s Vocabulary Guide
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Key Takeaways
- Learn the Spanish words for immediate and extended family members.
- Understand how to use possessive adjectives like mi (my) and tu (your).
- Practice asking and answering questions about your family.
- Discover simple phrases for describing your family in Spanish.
Introduction to Family Vocabulary
The family (la familia) is a central part of Spanish-speaking cultures. Knowing how to talk about your relatives is a fundamental skill for building relationships and having everyday conversations. This guide will teach you all the essential vocabulary you need to describe your family tree.
Part 1: Immediate Family (La familia inmediata)
These are your closest relatives.
| English | Spanish |
|---|---|
| the family | la familia |
| the parents | los padres |
| the father / dad | el padre / el papá |
| the mother / mom | la madre / la mamá |
| the children | los hijos |
| the son | el hijo |
| the daughter | la hija |
| the siblings | los hermanos |
| the brother | el hermano |
| the sister | la hermana |
| the husband | el esposo / el marido |
| the wife | la esposa / la mujer |
Example Sentences:
- Tengo dos hermanos. – I have two siblings.
- Mi madre se llama Ana. – My mother’s name is Ana.
- ¿Tienes hijos? – Do you have children?
Part 2: Extended Family (La familia extendida)
These relatives are your aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandparents.
| English | Spanish |
|---|---|
| the grandparents | los abuelos |
| the grandfather | el abuelo |
| the grandmother | la abuela |
| the grandchildren | los nietos |
| the grandson | el nieto |
| the granddaughter | la nieta |
| the aunts and uncles | los tíos |
| the uncle | el tío |
| the aunt | la tía |
| the cousins | los primos |
| the cousin (male) | el primo |
| the cousin (female) | la prima |
| the nephews and nieces | los sobrinos |
| the nephew | el sobrino |
| the niece | la sobrina |
Part 3: Using Possessives & Describing Your Family
Possessive Adjectives
To talk about your family, you need possessive adjectives.
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| mi | my (e.g., mi hermano) |
| mis | my (plural, e.g., mis hermanos) |
| tu | your (informal, e.g., tu madre) |
| tus | your (informal, plural, e.g., tus padres) |
Learn more: For a complete guide, see our article on Possessive Adjectives in Spanish.
Common Verbs for Talking About Family
- Tener (to have): Used to state how many siblings or children you have.
- “Tengo una hermana.” (I have one sister.)
- Ser (to be): Used to describe what someone is like.
- “Mi abuelo es amable.” (My grandfather is kind.)
- Llamarse (to be called): Used to state someone’s name.
- “Mi padre se llama Carlos.” (My father is called Carlos.)
Learn more: Master the basics with our Ser vs. Estar Guide.
Asking Questions About Family
- ¿Tienes hermanos? – Do you have siblings?
- ¿Cuántos people en tu familia? – How many people are in your family?
- ¿Cómo se llama tu madre? – What is your mother’s name?
Practice Dialogue
Carlos: Hola, María. ¿Tienes una familia grande?
(Hi Maria. Do you have a big family?)
María: Hola, Carlos. Sí, tengo una familia grande. Tengo dos hermanos y una hermana. ¿Y tú?
(Hi Carlos. Yes, I have a big family. I have two brothers and one sister. And you?)
Carlos: Yo tengo una familia pequeña. Tengo un hermano.
(I have a small family. I have one brother.)
María: ¿Cómo se llama tu hermano?
(What is your brother’s name?)
Carlos: Se llama David.
(His name is David.)
Quick Reference Chart
| English | Spanish |
|---|---|
| Parents | los padres |
| Siblings | los hermanos |
| Grandparents | los abuelos |
| Aunts/Uncles | los tíos |
| Cousins | los primos |
| I have… | Yo tengo… |
| My… | Mi… / Mis… |
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Gender Agreement: Remember that nouns have a gender. You say el hermano (brother) but la hermana (sister). Learn more about Noun Gender in Spanish.
- Plural Possessives: If you have more than one brother, you must use the plural possessive mis. “Tengo mis hermanos” is a common error. The correct form is “Tengo dos hermanos” (I have two brothers) or “Mis hermanos son altos” (My brothers are tall).
- “Parents” vs. “Relatives”: Los padres means “the parents,” not the wider category of “relatives.” For relatives in general, you can say los familiares.
Ready to Practice?
Now that you know the Spanish words for family members, it’s time to test your knowledge!
Take our Spanish Family Members Quiz ► to practice identifying relatives and using possessives.
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