Table of Contents
¡Hola, amigos! Ready to dive into the wonderful world of Spanish family words? Family is where our hearts find home, and learning to talk about our loved ones in Spanish is like adding a sprinkle of magic to our conversations. Whether it’s your silly hermano (brother) or your super cool abuela (grandma), each family member has a special name in Spanish that’s fun to say and even more fun to use!
For kids, knowing these Spanish family words is like having a secret code to talk about the people they love most. It’s a great way to start building Spanish skills while also celebrating the importance of family.
So, let’s meet la familia through the magic of Spanish words!
Family vocabulary list in Spanish
Family is at the heart of every home, and each member has a special role and title. The following family-related words are part of the Studycat Learn Spanish app for kids, designed to make learning about family fun and meaningful. By practicing these words, children can strengthen their understanding of family dynamics and communicate more effectively with loved ones in Spanish.
Here’s a list of common family-related terms to help us describe these important relationships:
brother - hermano
hermano (pronounced: er-MAH-no)
“Mi hermano y yo fuimos al parque juntos.”
“My brother and I went to the park together.”
sister - hermana
hermana (pronounced: er-MAH-na)
“Ella compartió sus galletas con su hermana.”
“She shared her cookies with her sister.”
mom - mamá
mamá (pronounced: ma-MA)
“¡Mi mamá hace los mejores panqueques!”
“My mom makes the best pancakes!“
dad - papá
papá (pronounced: pa-PA)
“Fui a pescar con mi papá.”
“I went fishing with my dad.”
grandma - abuela
abuela (pronounced: a-BWE-la)
“La abuela horneó galletas para nosotros.”
“Grandma baked cookies for us.”
grandpa - abuelo
abuelo (pronounced: a-BWE-lo)
“El abuelo me enseñó a jugar al ajedrez.”
“Grandpa taught me how to play chess.”
mother - madre
madre (pronounced: MA-dre)
“La madre nos leyó un cuento antes de dormir.”
“Mother read us a bedtime story.”
father - padre
padre (pronounced: PA-dre)
“El padre arregló la bicicleta rota.”
“Father fixed the broken bike.”
grandmother - abuela
abuela (pronounced: a-BWE-la)
“A mi abuela le encanta contar historias de su infancia.”
“My grandmother loves to tell stories of her childhood.”
grandfather - abuelo
abuelo (pronounced: a-BWE-lo)
“Nuestro abuelo solía ser piloto.”
“Our grandfather used to be a pilot.”
aunt - tía
tía (pronounced: TEE-a)
“Mi tía vino a visitarnos el verano pasado.”
“My aunt came to visit us last summer.”
uncle - tío
tío (pronounced: TEE-o)
“Mi tío es muy bueno construyendo casas en los árboles.”
“My uncle is really good at building tree houses.”
cousin - primo/prima
primo (male cousin, pronounced: PREE-mo)
prima (female cousin, pronounced: PREE-ma)
“Mi primo y yo estamos en la misma clase en la escuela.”
“My cousin and I are in the same class at school.”
friend - amigo/amiga
amigo (male friend, pronounced: a-MEE-go)
amiga (female friend, pronounced: a-MEE-ga)
“Cada sábado, juego videojuegos con mi amigo.”
“Every Saturday, I play video games with my friend.”
Extended family words in Spanish
Extended family includes relatives beyond the immediate family, such as grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. These family members often play a significant role in our lives, even if they don’t live with us.
grandmother - abuela
abuela (pronounced: a-BWE-la) “Mi abuela cuenta las mejores historias para dormir.” “My grandmother tells the best bedtime stories.”
grandfather - abuelo
abuelo (pronounced: a-BWE-lo) “El abuelo solía ser un gran pescador.” “Grandfather used to be a great fisherman.”
aunt - tía
tía (pronounced: TEE-a) “La tía Juana siempre nos trae regalos cuando nos visita.” “Aunt Jane always brings us gifts when she visits.”
uncle - tío
tío (pronounced: TEE-o) “El tío Roberto me enseñó a andar en bicicleta.” “Uncle Bob taught me how to ride a bike.”
cousin - primo/prima
primo (male cousin, pronounced: PREE-mo) / prima (female cousin, pronounced: PREE-ma) “Mi primo y yo tenemos la misma edad, y nos encanta jugar juntos.” “My cousin and I are the same age, and we love playing together.”
great-grandmother - bisabuela
bisabuela (pronounced: bee-sa-BWE-la) “Mi bisabuela vivió hasta los 100 años.” “My great-grandmother lived to be 100 years old.”
great-grandfather - bisabuelo
bisabuelo (pronounced: bee-sa-BWE-lo) “Mi bisabuelo luchó en la guerra.” “My great-grandfather fought in the war.”
niece - sobrina
sobrina (pronounced: so-BREE-na) “Mi sobrina acaba de empezar la escuela este año.” “My niece just started school this year.”
nephew - sobrino
sobrino (pronounced: so-BREE-no) “A mi sobrino le encanta jugar al fútbol.” “My nephew loves to play soccer.”
in-laws - suegros
suegros (pronounced: swe-GROS) “Pasamos las vacaciones con mis suegros cada año.” “We spend the holidays with my in-laws every year.”
Blended and adoptive family vocabulary in Spanish
Blended and adoptive families are formed through remarriage, adoption, or other means, creating a diverse and loving family environment. These words help describe the unique relationships in these families.
stepmother - madrastra
madrastra (pronounced: ma-DRAS-tra) “Mi madrastra es muy amable y hace galletas deliciosas.” “My stepmother is very kind and makes delicious cookies.”
stepfather - padrastro
padrastro (pronounced: pa-DRAS-tro) “Mi padrastro me ayuda con mis proyectos de ciencias.” “My stepfather helps me with my science projects.”
stepsister - hermanastra
hermanastra (pronounced: er-ma-NAS-tra) “A mi hermanastra y a mí nos gusta jugar videojuegos juntas.” “My stepsister and I like to play video games together.”
stepbrother - hermanastro
hermanastro (pronounced: er-ma-NAS-tro) “Mi hermanastro me está enseñando a tocar la guitarra.” “My stepbrother is teaching me how to play the guitar.”
adoptive parents - padres adoptivos
padres adoptivos (pronounced: PA-dres a-dop-TEE-vos) “Mis padres adoptivos son las personas más cariñosas que conozco.” “My adoptive parents are the most loving people I know.”
adopted child - hijo/a adoptivo/a
hijo adoptivo (male, pronounced: EE-ho a-dop-TEE-vo) / hija adoptiva (female, pronounced: EE-ha a-dop-TEE-va) “Como hijo adoptivo, me siento muy querido y cuidado.” “As an adopted child, I feel very loved and cared for.”
half-sister - media hermana
media hermana (pronounced: ME-dya er-MA-na) “Mi media hermana viene a visitarnos cada fin de semana.” “My half-sister comes to visit us every weekend.”
half-brother - medio hermano
medio hermano (pronounced: ME-dyo er-MA-no) “Mi medio hermano y yo vamos a pescar juntos cada verano.” “My half-brother and I go fishing together every summer.”
foster parents - padres de acogida
padres de acogida (pronounced: PA-dres de a-ko-HEE-da) “Mis padres de acogida me están ayudando a encontrar mi hogar para siempre.” “My foster parents are helping me find my forever home.”
foster child - niño/a de acogida
niño de acogida (male, pronounced: NEE-nyo de a-ko-HEE-da) / niña de acogida (female, pronounced: NEE-nya de a-ko-HEE-da) “Como niño de acogida, me mudé a una nueva escuela el año pasado.” “As a foster child, I moved to a new school last year.”
Cultural and honorary family members in Spanish
In many cultures, family extends beyond blood relations to include close friends or respected individuals who are considered family in every way. These words help describe those special bonds in Spanish.
godmother - madrina
madrina (pronounced: ma-DREE-na) “Mi madrina siempre recuerda mi cumpleaños.” “My godmother always remembers my birthday.”
godfather - padrino
padrino (pronounced: pa-DREE-no) “Mi padrino me regaló mi primera bicicleta.” “My godfather gave me my first bicycle.”
godchild - ahijado/a
ahijado (male, pronounced: a-ee-HA-do) / ahijada (female, pronounced: a-ee-HA-da) “Soy el ahijado del mejor amigo de mi padre.” “I am the godchild of my father’s best friend.”
family friend - amigo/a de la familia
amigo de la familia (male, pronounced: a-MEE-go de la fa-MEE-lya) / amiga de la familia (female, pronounced: a-MEE-ga de la fa-MEE-lya) “Nuestro amigo de la familia viene a todas las cenas de días festivos.” “Our family friend comes to every holiday dinner.”
mentor - mentor/a
mentor (male, pronounced: men-TOR) / mentora (female, pronounced: men-TO-ra) “Mi mentor es como un segundo padre para mí.” “My mentor is like a second father to me.”
clan - clan
clan (pronounced: klan) “Nuestro clan se reúne cada año para una gran reunión.” “Our clan gathers every year for a big reunion.”
tribe - tribu
tribu (pronounced: TREE-bu) “Las tradiciones de la tribu se han transmitido durante generaciones.” “The tribe’s traditions have been passed down for generations.”
patriarch - patriarca
patriarca (pronounced: pa-tree-AR-ka) “El patriarca de nuestra familia siempre dirige las oraciones festivas.” “The patriarch of our family always leads the holiday prayers.”
matriarch - matriarca
matriarca (pronounced: ma-tree-AR-ka) “La matriarca de nuestra familia es respetada por todos.” “The matriarch of our family is respected by everyone.”
ancestor - antepasado
antepasado (pronounced: an-te-pa-SA-do) “Honramos a nuestros antepasados con una ceremonia especial cada año.” “We honor our ancestors with a special ceremony every year.”
Understanding these terms helps children communicate about family dynamics and relationships in Spanish. Studycat makes learning these terms engaging with fun illustrations and interactive games!
Fun ways to remember Spanish family words
Learning Spanish family words doesn’t have to feel like homework. Here are some súper divertidas (super fun) ways to make these words stick in your mind:
- Family tree fiesta: Draw a colorful family tree and label everyone with their Spanish titles. Add funny drawings or stickers to make it extra memorable!
- Family bingo**:** Create a bingo game with Spanish family words. Shout “¡Lotería!” when you get a full house!
- Family photo Spanish snap: Look through family photos and try to say everyone’s Spanish title as fast as you can. It’s like a tongue twister challenge!
- Role-play reunion: Pretend you’re at a big family gathering where everyone only speaks Spanish. How many relatives can you introduce yourself to?
- Family word scavenger hunt: Hide pictures of family members around the house with their Spanish titles. Whoever finds the most wins!
¡Hasta luego, familia!
And there you have it, amigos! You’ve just taken a fantastic journey through the heart of Spanish family vocabulary. Remember, every “te quiero” (I love you) you say in Spanish to your family is like giving them a warm, linguistic hug.
Keep practicing these words, and soon you’ll be chatting about your familia like a true Spanish-speaking superstar! Who knows? Maybe you’ll even teach your family a thing or two! Until next time, ¡adiós y abrazos!
(Goodbye and hugs!)