Family members in Spanish with English translation and exercises

Did you know that family members in Spanish are very highly regarded? The Spanish people hold family very dear to their hearts. Family in Spanish is referred to as “Familia”. Spanish people hold much value for family members and have very strong bonds and relationships. 

The Spanish people feel safest when with family and they work to great lengths to co-exist with their loved ones. Spaniards turn to the families first in every station since they protect and value each other.  

IMMEDIATE FAMILY MEMBERS IN SPANISH

This is the, most common setting you will find in Spain in terms of living arrangements. It comprises of a couple and their children who are single. Spanish children stay with their parents to as old as the age of 35, unlike other cultures where children are expected to move out after they are 18. In Spain, the child moves out of their parent’s house once they have gotten a partner and companion to spend the rest of their life with.  Members of this type of family setting look after each other and turn to each other in times of need as well as during happy times. Learning Spanish will expose you to knowing the family members in Spanish. The nuclear family consists of:

• Padre (father)
• Madre (mother)
• Hijo (son)
• Hija (daughter)
• Hermano (brother)
• Hermana (sister)
• Esposo (husband)
• Esposa (wife)
• Padres (parents)

Spanish children mostly refer to their father as “papá” and their mothers as “mamá”. However, it is important to remember putting in the accent in the last syllable so that the meaning does not change.

The general word used for both parents is “padres” while that of both brother and sister is “hermanos”.

EXTENDED FAMILY

Members of the extended family in Spain keep in touch and visit each other more often. They value having meals together and never miss gatherings. With all members present, gatherings become lively, interesting, and fun; all the members are bonded by blood and love. Members of the extended family are:

• Tatarabuelo (great great grandfather)
• Tatarabuela (great great grandmother)
• Bisabuelo (great grandfather)
• Bisabuela (great grandmother)
• Abuelos (grandparents)
• Abuelo (grandfather)
• Abuela (grandmother)
• Nietos (grandchildren)
• Nieto (grandson)
• Nieta (granddaughter)
• Bisnieto (great grandson)
• Bisnieta (great-granddaughter)
• Primo (cousin – male)
• Prima (cousin – female)
• Sobrino (nephew)
• Sobrina (niece)

The general Spanish name used to refer to aunties and uncles is “tíos” while that used for nephews and nieces is “sobrinos”.

IN-LAW FAMILY MEMBERS IN SPANISH

When your child gets married to another family, you are incorporated into the family. You are highly valued and become important in their lives. Although you may not be related by blood, the love bond is so strong that they will protect and take care of you as they would do with the family members they are related to by blood.

• Suegro (father-in-law)
• Suegra (mother-in-law)
• Yerno (son-in-law)
• Nuera (daughter-in-law)
• Cuñado (brother-in-law)
• Cuñada (sister-in-law)

MIXED FAMILY

Mixed families happen when one gets married more than once. The families created in this kind of union become mixed. They include:

• Padrastro (stepfather)
• Madrastra (stepmother)
• Hijastro (stepson)
• Hijastra (stepdaughter)
• Hermanastro (stepbrother)
• Hermanastra (stepsister)

In cases where parents get married again and have other children, the half-siblings are regarded as family members in Spanish and although you are only partially related by blood, they become a part of you. Spanish people are very protective of their siblings and highly value them. These siblings become:

• medio hermano (half-brother)
• medio hermana (half-sister)

NAMING

Family names in Spanish are interesting and different. Spanish people are given three names. The first name is given and chosen by the parents and family. The other two names are surnames. This is quite different from other cultures. The first surname belongs or was the first surname of the father while the second surname was the mother’s first surname. Traditionally, the father’s first surname came before the mother’s first surname but these days traditions have changed and the family can always decide on which surname to put first. However, the traditional way of naming is always chosen. 

Eg. Sergio Garcia Sánchez

This kind of naming ensures that even after a woman gets married, she doesn’t lose her maiden surname. It is also important since the woman’s surname name doesn’t get lost after generations but is carried by the descendants for purposes of preserving the family name. 

In some cases, you will find that people are used to using only two names, which are the first name and the first surname. In cases where the bearer of the name has a very common first name then they choose to have all three names to single themselves out from those with similar first names. 

LEARN THE FAMILY MEMBERS NAMES IN SPANISH

Spanish is interesting to listen to but even more fun when you learn it. The family will always be there which is why it is important to first learn family names in Spanish before anything else. Learning the family words in Spanish will definitely be among the first things you will need to know when you decide to learn Spanish and be fluent in it.

Now that you know the family member names in Spanish, discover 30 useful Spanish words for beginners you need to know!

EXERCISES

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