Spanish · Family

Family & Relationships in Spanish

Mom, dad, partner, kids — introducing people the way Spanish speakers actually do.

52 entries ·Introductions, kids, partners · Audio on every entry · cross-checked

I remember the first time I met my partner's family in Mexico City. I had my textbook Spanish ready. But when his tía pulled me into a hug and his little cousin started asking me questions, the formal words felt stiff and strange. I needed the real words people use for the people they love.

That's what this is for. It’s a collection of the words you’ll actually hear and use for family. We’ve organized it to make sense: first, the immediate family you see all the time, like padres, hermanos, and hijos. Then we cover the wider circle of aunts, uncles, and cousins.

You'll also find the right terms for relationships — from a new boyfriend or girlfriend to a long-term partner or spouse. It's about more than just vocabulary. It's about showing you understand the connection.

Every word here has been translated and recorded by a native speaker, so you can be sure you're getting it right.

31 family and relationship phrases

Full index · ordered A → Z

La familia es lo primero. lah fah-MEE-lee-ah es lo pree-MEH-roh
Dale mis saludos a tu familia. DAH-leh mees sah-LOO-dohs ah too fah-MEE-lee-ah
Tiene los ojos de su mamá. TYEH-neh lohs OH-hohs deh soo mah-MAH
Es como un hermano para mí. es KOH-moh oon er-MAH-noh PAH-rah mee
¿Cómo está tu familia? KOH-moh eh-STAH too fah-MEE-lee-ah
Tengo un hijo. TEN-goh oon EE-hoh
Tengo tres hijos. TEN-go tres EE-hos
Tengo dos hermanos. TEN-go DOS er-MAH-nos
Soy hijo único. soy EE-hoh OO-nee-koh
mi mejor amigo mee meh-HOR ah-MEE-go
Mi familia es ruidosa. mee fah-MEE-lee-ah es roo-ee-DOH-sah
mi suegro mee SWAY-groh
mi padrino mee pah-DREE-noh
mi madrina mee mah-DREE-nah
mi suegra mee SOO-eh-grah
mi sobrino mee soh-BREE-noh
mi sobrina mee soh-BREE-nah
mi hermano mayor mee air-MAH-noh my-YOR
Mis padres viven en MEES PAH-dres VEE-ven en
mi padrastro mee pah-DRAHS-troh
mi madrastra mee mah-DRAHS-trah
mi hermana menor mee air-MAH-nah meh-NOR
Se parece a su papá. seh pah-REH-seh ah soo pah-PAH
Ella es mi mejor amiga EH-yah es mee meh-HOR ah-MEE-gah
Estos son mis hijos. EH-stohs sohn mees EE-hohs
Son como de la familia. sohn KOH-moh deh lah fah-MEE-lee-ah
Esta es mi tía EH-stah es mee TEE-ah
Este es mi novio. ES-teh es mee NO-byoh
Este es mi hermano ES-te es mee ehrm-AH-no
Este es mi primo. ES-te es mee PREE-moh
Este es mi papá. ES-teh es mee pa-PAH
Ella es mi hija. EH-yah es mee EE-hah
Este es mi amigo. ES-te es mee ah-MEE-go
Ella es mi novia. EH-yah es mee NOH-byah
Ella es mi abuela. EH-yah es mee ah-BWEH-lah
Este es mi abuelo EH-steh es mee ah-BWEH-loh
Este es mi esposo. ES-teh es mee es-PO-so
Esta es mi mamá. EH-stah es mee mah-MAH
Esta es mi pareja. ES-tah es mee pah-REH-hah
Ella es mi hermana. EH-yah es mee ser-MAH-nah
Este es mi hijo. ES-te es mee EE-ho
Este es mi tío. ES-te es mee TEE-oh
Ella es mi esposa. EH-yah es mee es-POH-sah
No nos llevamos bien. noh nohs leh-VAH-mohs bee-EHN
Nos casamos el año pasado. nohs kah-SAH-mohs el AH-nyoh pah-SAH-doh
Nos parecemos mucho nohs pah-reh-SEH-mohs MOO-choh
Estamos comprometidos. es-TAH-mos com-pro-meh-TEE-dohs
Estamos esperando un bebé es-TAH-mos es-peh-RAHN-doh oon beh-BEH
Nos estamos divorciando nos es-TAH-mos dee-vor-see-AHN-do
Nos quedamos con familia. nohs keh-DAH-mohs kohm fah-MEE-lee-ah
Somos gemelos SOH-mohs heh-MEH-lohs
Somos muy unidos SOH-mohs moo-ee oo-NEE-dohs

Frequently asked

What's the difference between novio/novia and pareja?

Novio or novia is the most common term for a boyfriend or girlfriend in a serious relationship. Pareja is a more neutral term for "partner" and can be used for unmarried or married couples, including same-sex couples.

Do I use tú or usted with my partner's parents?

It's safest to start with the formal usted, as it shows respect. They will likely tell you if they prefer the more informal tú, but letting them initiate that switch is always a good idea.

How do I say stepmom or stepdad in Spanish?

The technical terms are madrastra (stepmother) and padrastro (stepfather). In everyday conversation, however, many people just use their first name or a phrase like la esposa de mi papá (my dad's wife).

Is it rude to call an elder 'abuelo' or 'abuela' if they aren't mine?

In some contexts, it can be a term of affection for a close, elderly family friend. However, as a foreigner, it's best to avoid it and use señor or señora unless you have a very familiar relationship.