Spanish Family Vocabulary: Every Relative, Plus Family Slang
Learn Spanish family words: parents, siblings, grandparents, in-laws, cousins and godparents, plus nicknames like mijo, abue and suegra.
By Ayoub Farid · · 2 min read
Family is at the center of life in Spanish-speaking cultures, and the vocabulary is rich. Here are all the relatives, plus the nicknames you'll hear at real family gatherings.
Immediate family
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| la familia | family |
| los padres | parents |
| la madre / la mamá | mother / mom |
| el padre / el papá | father / dad |
| el hijo / la hija | son / daughter |
| los hijos | children (sons and daughters) |
| el hermano / la hermana | brother / sister |
| los hermanos | siblings |
| el esposo / la esposa | husband / wife |
| el/la gemelo/a | twin |
Note: masculine plurals include mixed groups: mis hermanos can mean "my brothers and sisters".
Extended family
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| el abuelo / la abuela | grandfather / grandmother |
| el nieto / la nieta | grandson / granddaughter |
| el tío / la tía | uncle / aunt |
| el primo / la prima | cousin |
| el sobrino / la sobrina | nephew / niece |
| el bisabuelo / la bisabuela | great-grandfather / great-grandmother |
In-laws
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| el suegro / la suegra | father-in-law / mother-in-law |
| el yerno | son-in-law |
| la nuera | daughter-in-law |
| el cuñado / la cuñada | brother-in-law / sister-in-law |
| los consuegros | your child's in-laws |
Spanish has a word for your child's in-laws: consuegros. Handy at weddings!
Godparents and chosen family
- el padrino / la madrina — godfather / godmother
- el ahijado / la ahijada — godson / goddaughter
- el compadre / la comadre — your child's godparent (or you to them); also a close family friend
Compadres are an important bond in many Latin American families.
Nicknames you'll hear
- mijo / mija — my son / my daughter (from mi hijo), also used affectionately for younger people
- abue, abuelito/a, lito/a, wela — grandpa / grandma
- mami, papi — mom, dad (also used affectionately)
- tito, tita — uncle, aunt (Spain)
- el/la nene/a — the little one
- primo — also "buddy" in casual speech
See Spanish terms of endearment.
Talking about your family
- Somos cinco en mi familia. — There are five of us in my family.
- Tengo dos hermanos mayores. — I have two older siblings.
- Soy hijo único / hija única. — I'm an only child.
- Mi familia es de Jalisco. — My family is from Jalisco.
- Me parezco a mi mamá. — I look like my mom.
Practice
Family vocabulary sticks when you talk about real people. In Lolo's call with abuela you'll talk about your week and your family, out loud. See talk to abuela in Spanish and meeting your partner's family.
Frequently asked questions
How do you say "siblings" in Spanish?
Hermanos. It covers brothers and sisters together.
What does "mijo" mean?
A contraction of mi hijo (my son), used affectionately with children and younger people.
What is a "compadre"?
The godparent of your child (or the parent of your godchild), and by extension a close friend.
