Who is in your immediate family?
Your immediate family includes the people who live in your home or are very close to you. These are the most important words to learn first.
Here are the basic words for your immediate family:
- Mum (or Mom in American English): Your mother.
- Dad: Your father.
- Parents: Your mum and dad together.
- Brother: A boy or man who has the same parents as you.
- Sister: A girl or woman who has the same parents as you.
- Son: Your male child.
- Daughter: Your female child.
- Children: Your sons and daughters together.
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Who is in your extended family?
Your extended family includes other relatives like your grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. These people are also important in your life.
Here are words for your extended family:
- Granddad (or Grandfather): Your mum’s or dad’s father.
- Granny (or Grandmother): Your mum’s or dad’s mother.
- Grandparents: Your granddad and granny together.
- Uncle: Your mum’s or dad’s brother.
- Aunt: Your mum’s or dad’s sister.
- Cousin: The child of your aunt or uncle.
How do we talk about our family?
You can use simple sentences to introduce your family or talk about them. Use This is my… or I have a…
- To introduce one person: This is my mum.
- To introduce more than one person: These are my parents.
- To say how many family members you have: I have one brother.
| Family Member | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Mum | Your mother |
| Dad | Your father |
| Parents | Your mum and dad |
| Brother | A boy with the same parents |
| Sister | A girl with the same parents |
| Granddad | Your mum’s or dad’s father |
| Granny | Your mum’s or dad’s mother |
| Uncle | Your mum’s or dad’s brother |
| Aunt | Your mum’s or dad’s sister |
| Cousin | Child of your aunt or uncle |
Examples
- This is my dad.
- I have a sister.
- My grandparents live in a big house.
- He is my uncle.
- She is my aunt.
- My cousin is very funny.
- I have two children, a son and a daughter.
Practice
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Chat with an Advisor on WhatsAppCommon mistakes for Spanish speakers
Many Spanish speakers make a few common mistakes when learning family vocabulary:
- Parents vs. Fathers: In Spanish, ‘padres’ can mean both ‘parents’ and ‘fathers’. In English, parents means mum and dad. Fathers means two or more fathers. Always use parents for ‘mum and dad’.
- Cousin gender: In Spanish, ‘primo’ is male and ‘prima’ is female. In English, cousin is used for both boys and girls. You do not change the word.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between mum and mother?
Mum is a common, informal word for your mother, often used in everyday conversation. Mother is more formal.
How do I say ‘my parents’ in English?
You say my parents. This means my mum and my dad together.
Is granddad the same as grandfather?
Yes, granddad is a common, informal way to say grandfather. Both words mean your mother’s or father’s father.
What is a cousin?
Your cousin is the child of your aunt or uncle. It can be a boy or a girl.
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