Vocabulary: family, people and life events

The words for family members, other people and big life events. You need them in every paper.

Practise this lesson free (7 questions)

Family

Masculine plurals cover mixed groups: los hermanos = brothers, or brothers and sisters.
SpanishEnglish
el padrefather
la madremother
el maridohusband
la mujerwife, woman
el hijoson
la hijadaughter
el hermanastrostepbrother
la hermanastrastepsister
el tíouncle
la tíaaunt
el primo, la primacousin
el sobrinonephew
la sobrinaniece
los abuelosgrandparents
el hijo único, la hija únicaonly child
el parienterelative

People

La gente is singular: La gente es simpática aquí.
SpanishEnglish
el hombreman
el chicoboy
la chicagirl
el niño, la niñachild
el bebébaby
el / la adolescenteteenager
el adulto, la adultaadult
los mayoresolder people
el vecino, la vecinaneighbour
el novioboyfriend
la noviagirlfriend
el compañero de claseclassmate
la gentepeople
la parejacouple, partner

Life events

Estar for married and divorced: Mis padres están divorciados. Ser for single is also common: soy soltero.
SpanishEnglish
nacerto be born
casarseto get married
la bodawedding
casado / casadamarried
divorciado / divorciadadivorced
soltero / solterasingle
comprometido / comprometidaengaged
morirto die
la edadage
tener ... añosto be ... years old
llevarse bien conto get on well with
pelearse conto fight with
compartirto share
Worked example

Translate: My stepbrother is married and he gets on well with his neighbours.

  1. stepbrother = el hermanastro, so mi hermanastro
  2. married = casado (with estar)
  3. gets on well with = se lleva bien con; neighbours = vecinos

Answer: Mi hermanastro está casado y se lleva bien con sus vecinos.

Key idea

El marido, la mujer, el hijo, la hija, el hermanastro, el tío, la tía, el primo, el sobrino, los abuelos, el hijo único. La gente (singular), el vecino, el novio, la pareja. Nacer, casarse, la boda, casado, divorciado, soltero, llevarse bien con.

Quick check

Try two quick questions

See if it has sunk in. Answers are marked straight away.

Extra practice

2 more questions

Try each one, then tap to check.

  1. What does el pariente mean?

    1. parent
    2. stepbrother
    3. niece
    4. relative
    Show the answer

    Answer: relative

    El pariente = relative.

  2. Which is the Spanish for "daughter"?

    1. la hija
    2. la sobrina
    3. el marido
    4. el pariente
    Show the answer

    Answer: la hija

    Daughter = la hija.

Check you have got it

Answer 7 quick questions with instant marking. If you get one wrong, GCSE-ready shows you why and gives you another go. It is free, and you do not need an account.

Practise this lesson free (7 questions)All GCSE and International GCSE Spanish lessons

Video for this lesson coming soon. Subscribe on YouTube

Sources and references

Last updated 2 October 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us and we will fix it.

Related lessons