Family phrases in English, including common expressions and vocabulary used to talk about family members and relationships.
Family phrases are expressions and vocabulary used to talk about family members, relationships, and common situations within families. These phrases help you describe family roles, talk about family events, and understand conversations about family life.
Immediate Family
Immediate family includes the people closest to you, such as parents, siblings, and children. These are the family members you usually live with or see most often.
| English Singular | English Plural | English Example | English Example (Translation) |
|---|---|---|---|
| mother / mom | mothers / moms | My mother is a great cook. | Mi madre es una gran cocinera. |
| father / dad | fathers / dads | My dad works in an office. | Mi papá trabaja en una oficina. |
| sister | sisters | I have two sisters. | Tengo dos hermanas. |
| brother | brothers | My brother plays soccer. | Mi hermano juega al fútbol. |
| child / kid | children / kids | They have three children. | Tienen tres hijos. |
Tengo dos ___.
Which word completes the sentence? 'I have two ___.'
sisters
'Sisters' is the correct plural form for female siblings, matching the sentence about having two siblings.
Extended Family
Extended family includes relatives beyond your immediate family, such as grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. These family members are part of your larger family network.
| English Singular | English Plural | English Example | English Example (Translation) |
|---|---|---|---|
| grandmother / grandma | grandmothers / grandmas | My grandma tells great stories. | Mi abuela cuenta grandes historias. |
| grandfather / grandpa | grandfathers / grandpas | Grandpa loves gardening. | El abuelo ama la jardinería. |
| aunt | aunts | My aunt lives in New York. | Mi tía vive en Nueva York. |
| uncle | uncles | My uncle is a teacher. | Mi tío es maestro. |
| cousin | cousins | I’m going to visit my cousins. | Voy a visitar a mis primos. |
Family Relationships
These phrases describe different family relationships and roles. They help you explain how people are related to each other.
| Phrase | Meaning | Example | Example (Translation) |
|---|---|---|---|
| only child | A child with no siblings | She is an only child. | Ella es hija única. |
| oldest / eldest | The first-born child | He is the oldest sibling. | Él es el hermano mayor. |
| youngest | The last-born child | I’m the youngest in my family. | Soy el más joven de mi familia. |
| stepmother | The wife of one’s father (not biological) | My stepmother is very kind. | Mi madrastra es muy amable. |
| stepsibling | A sibling from a stepparent’s previous relationship | I have a stepsister. | Tengo una hermanastra. |
Talking About Family
These common phrases are used when talking about family members or describing your family situation.
| Phrase | Meaning | Example | Example (Translation) |
|---|---|---|---|
| get along with | have a good relationship | I get along with my brother. | Me llevo bien con mi hermano. |
| take after | resemble a family member | She takes after her mother. | Ella se parece a su madre. |
| run in the family | be common in the family | Blue eyes run in our family. | Los ojos azules son comunes en nuestra familia. |
| raise a child | take care of a child | They raise their children with love. | Crían a sus hijos con amor. |
| keep in touch | maintain contact | I keep in touch with my cousins. | Me mantengo en contacto con mis primos. |
Family Events
These phrases are used to talk about common family gatherings and celebrations.
| Phrase | Meaning | Example | Example (Translation) |
|---|---|---|---|
| family reunion | a gathering of family members | We have a family reunion every summer. | Tenemos una reunión familiar cada verano. |
| holiday gathering | meeting during holidays | Our holiday gathering is always fun. | Nuestra reunión navideña siempre es divertida. |
| celebrate a birthday | have a birthday party | We celebrate my dad’s birthday together. | Celebramos juntos el cumpleaños de mi papá. |
| wedding reception | party after a wedding | The wedding reception was beautiful. | La recepción de la boda fue hermosa. |
| anniversary party | celebration of a marriage anniversary | They had an anniversary party last night. | Tuvieron una fiesta de aniversario anoche. |
Family phrases help you talk about one of the most important parts of life: your relationships with the people you love and care about.
'Celebrar un cumpleaños' significa ___ una fiesta por el nacimiento de alguien.
What does 'celebrate a birthday' mean?
tener
'Celebrate a birthday' means to have a party or event to mark someone's birth.
Flashcards (1 of 10)
- English Singular: mother / mom
- English Plural: mothers / moms
- English Example: My mother is a great cook.
- English Example (Translation): Mi madre es una gran cocinera.
Last updated: Thu Jun 12, 2025
