How to Say Family in Spanish
Learn how to say family in Spanish. The word is 'Familia' (fah-MEE-lee-ah). Plus family member vocabulary, pronunciation, and 'my family' = 'mi familia.'
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Quick answer
To say family in Spanish, say 'Familia' (fah-MEE-lee-ah), a feminine noun: 'la familia' (the family) and 'mi familia' (my family). It covers both your immediate and extended family, the same as in English.
Familia
/fah-MEE-lee-ah/ — Spanish
How to Say Family in Spanish
Family is central to Hispanic culture, so Familia (fah-MEE-lee-ah) is one of the warmest and most useful words you can learn. It’s a near-cognate of the English word, easy to recognize and used constantly in everyday Spanish.
The Word: Familia
Familia — pronounced fah-MEE-lee-ah
It’s a feminine noun, so it pairs with feminine articles and adjectives: la familia (the family), una familia (a family), mi familia (my family). The stress falls on the second syllable: fa-MI-lia.
Copy the Phrase
The Spanish for family is Familia (fah-MEE-lee-ah).
Family Member Vocabulary
| Spanish | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Madre / Mamá | MAH-dreh / mah-MAH | Mother / Mom |
| Padre / Papá | PAH-dreh / pah-PAH | Father / Dad |
| Padres | PAH-dres | Parents |
| Hijo / Hija | EE-ho / EE-ha | Son / Daughter |
| Hermano / Hermana | er-MAH-no / er-MAH-na | Brother / Sister |
| Abuelo / Abuela | ah-BWEH-lo / ah-BWEH-la | Grandfather / Grandmother |
| Tío / Tía | TEE-o / TEE-a | Uncle / Aunt |
| Primo / Prima | PREE-mo / PREE-ma | Cousin (m. / f.) |
| Sobrino / Sobrina | so-BREE-no / -na | Nephew / Niece |
| Esposo / Esposa | es-POH-so / -sa | Husband / Wife |
Useful Phrases with Familia
- Mi familia — my family
- Toda mi familia — my whole family
- Una familia grande — a big family
- Una familia unida — a close-knit family
- Pasar tiempo en familia — to spend time with family
- Es de la familia — they’re part of the family
- ¿Cómo está tu familia? — How is your family?
Related Words
- Parientes / Familiares — relatives
- Familia política — in-laws (literally “political family”)
- Familia extendida — extended family
- Familia adoptiva — adoptive family
- Antepasados — ancestors
Pronunciation Tips
- h is silent everywhere (hermano → er-MAH-no, hija → EE-ha).
- The i before a vowel glides: fa-MI-lia = “lee-ah.”
- j is a throaty “h” (hijo → EE-ho).
- Roll/tap the r lightly (madre, padre).
- Spanish vowels stay pure and short.
Cultural Notes
In Spanish-speaking countries, la familia often refers to a wide, close-knit network of relatives, and extended family gatherings are central to social life. Masculine plurals are inclusive: los padres can mean “the parents” (mother and father) as well as “the fathers,” and los hermanos can mean “the siblings.” Terms of endearment like mi familia carry real warmth — saying “eres de la familia” (you’re family) to a friend is a heartfelt compliment.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you say family in Spanish?
'Family' is 'Familia' (fah-MEE-lee-ah). It's a feminine noun, so you say 'la familia' (the family) and 'mi familia' (my family). 'My whole family' is 'toda mi familia,' and 'a big family' is 'una familia grande.'
How do you pronounce Familia?
'Familia' is pronounced fah-MEE-lee-ah, with stress on the 'MEE' syllable. The 'i' before 'a' glides into 'lee-ah.' Each vowel is clean: a = 'ah,' i = 'ee.' It's close to the English word but with Spanish vowels and stress on the second syllable.
Is Familia masculine or feminine?
'Familia' is feminine, so it takes feminine articles and adjectives: 'la familia,' 'una familia,' 'mi familia unida' (my close family). Even a family full of men is still 'la familia.' The plural 'las familias' means 'the families.'
What is the literal meaning and origin of Familia?
'Familia' comes from the Latin 'familia,' the same root as English 'family,' originally referring to a household including servants. Today it simply means 'family' — both the nuclear family (immediate) and 'la familia extendida' (extended family). It's a near-cognate, making it easy to remember.
How do you say family members in Spanish?
Common ones: madre (mother), padre (father), hijo/hija (son/daughter), hermano/hermana (brother/sister), abuelo/abuela (grandfather/grandmother), tío/tía (uncle/aunt), primo/prima (cousin), esposo/esposa (husband/wife). 'Parents' is 'los padres' and 'relatives' is 'los parientes' or 'los familiares.'