Spanish Words for Family Members & Relatives
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Keep in mind that masculine plurals in Spanish can refer to mixed groups of males and
females. Thus cuatro hijos can mean either "four sons" or "four children," depending on
the context.
In addition, while it may sound strange to the ear attuned to English, padres is a
grammatically correct way to refer to both of one's parents.
Also, note that the word parented means "relative" in general; it does not refer only to
parents.
Here are the names for the most common relatives and some of the uncommon ones:
padre:
father
tía:
aunt
madre:
mother
tío abuelo:
great-uncle
hermano:
brother
tía abuela:
great-aunt
hermana:
sister
primo:
cousin (male)
suegro:
father-in-law
prima:
cousin (female)
suegra:
mother-in-law
sobrino:
nephew
cuñado:
brother-in-law
sobrina:
niece
cuñada:
sister-in-law
padrastro:
stepfather
esposo, marido:
husband
madrastra:
stepmother
esposa, mujer:
wife
hijastro:
stepson
abuelo:
grandfather
hijastra:
stepdaughter
abuela:
grandmother
hermanastro:
stepbrother
bisabuelo:
great-grandfather
hermanastra:
stepsister
bisabuela:
great-grandmother
medio hermano:
half brother
tatarabuelo:
great-great-grandfather
media hermana:
half sister
tatarabuela:
great-great-grandmother
prometido, novio:
fiancé, boyfriend, groom
hijo:
son
prometida, novia:
fiancé, girlfriend, bride
hija:
daughter
nieto:
grandson
nieta:
granddaughter
bisnieto:
great-grandson
bisnieta:
great-granddaughter
tataranieto:
great-great-grandson
tataranieta:
great-great-granddaughter
tío:
uncle