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When you’re learning Spanish for beginners, especially at the A1 level, family (la familia — lah fah-MEE-lyah) words are a great place to start. They’re part of everyday conversations, whether you’re introducing yourself, talking about loved ones, or sharing a story. Let’s break down the basic Spanish words for family members so you can start using them naturally.
As a Spanish learner myself, I’ve learned the hard way that aiming for fluency right away isn’t the best goal when learning a new language. So, if you’re just starting out with Spanish, I highly recommend familiarizing yourself with the CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference). It will guide you on what to focus on at each stage of your learning journey. Check out this article to get a clearer idea of what you should learn as a beginner and what’s expected of you along the way.
Immediate Family
- Madre (MAH-dreh) — Mother
- Padre (PAH-dreh) — Father
- Hermano (ehr-MAH-noh) — Brother
- Hermana (ehr-MAH-nah) — Sister
- Hijo (EE-hoh) — Son
- Hija (EE-hah) — Daughter
Extended Family
- Abuela (ah-BWEH-lah) — Grandmother
- Abuelo (ah-BWEH-loh) — Grandfather
- Tío (TEE-oh) — Uncle
- Tía (TEE-ah) — Aunt
- Primo (PREE-moh) — Cousin (male)
- Prima (PREE-mah) — Cousin (female)
- Sobrino (soh-BREE-noh) — Nephew
- Sobrina (soh-BREE-nah) — Niece
Marital and In-Law Relationships
- Esposo (es-POH-soh) — Husband
- Esposa (es-POH-sah) — Wife
- Cuñado (koo-NYAH-doh) — Brother-in-law
- Cuñada (koo-NYAH-dah) — Sister-in-law
- Suegro (SWEH-groh) — Father-in-law
- Suegra (SWEH-grah) — Mother-in-law
Other Family Terms
- Padrastro (pah-DRAHS-troh) — Stepfather
- Madrastra (mah-DRAHS-trah) — Stepmother
- Hermanastro (ehr-mah-NAHS-troh) — Stepbrother
- Hermanastra (ehr-mah-NAHS-trah) — Stepsister
Basic Spanish Words: Using Family Words in a Sentence
Now, let’s use these basic Spanish words in sentences:
- Mi madre se llama Ana. — My mother’s name is Ana.
- Tengo una hermana mayor. — I have an older sister.
- ¿Cómo se llama tu abuelo? — What is your grandfather’s name?
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Pro Tip for Beginners (A1 Level)
A quick tip: In Spanish, possessive adjectives (like mi for “my”) don’t change based on gender — only on whether the noun is singular or plural. So it’s mi hermano (my brother) and mis hermanos (my brothers/siblings).
Another helpful hint is to listen carefully to native speakers. Pay attention to how they pronounce family words and mimic their intonation. Practicing out loud will help you feel more confident.
By practicing these basic Spanish words for family, you’ll feel more confident talking about your loved ones in everyday conversations. Keep going—each word you master brings you closer to expressing yourself easily in Spanish!