Family (AQA GCSE Spanish): Revision Notes
Family (La familia)
Family vocabulary
Learning to talk about your family is essential for everyday conversations in Spanish. Family relationships form the foundation of many cultural discussions and personal introductions.
Family vocabulary is particularly important in Spanish-speaking cultures where family ties are often central to social interactions and identity.
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| el marido | husband |
| la mujer | wife |
| la pareja | partner, couple |
| el padre | father |
| el padrastro | stepfather |
| la madre | mother |
| la madrastra | stepmother |
| el hermano | brother |
| la hermana | sister |
| el abuelo | grandfather |
| la abuela | grandmother |
| el tío | uncle |
| la tía | aunt |
| casarse | to marry |
Notice the pattern: most family words ending in -o are masculine (el hermano, el abuelo) while those ending in -a are feminine (la hermana, la abuela).
Possessive adjectives
Possessive adjectives in Spanish have a crucial rule: they must agree with the noun they describe, not the person who owns it. This means they change depending on whether the family member is masculine/feminine and singular/plural.
Key Grammar Rule: Possessive adjectives agree with the thing being possessed, NOT the person who owns it. For example, "his sister" is su hermana and "his brother" is su hermano - the possessive stays the same but agrees with hermana/hermano.
| English | Followed by singular noun | Followed by plural noun |
|---|---|---|
| my | mi | mis |
| your (one owner) | tu | tus |
| his/her/its/their/your (formal) | su | sus |
| our | nuestro, nuestra | nuestros, nuestras |
| your (more than one owner) | vuestro, vuestra | vuestros, vuestras |
Worked Example: Using Possessive Adjectives
- mi hermana (my sister) - singular feminine
- mis hermanas (my sisters) - plural feminine
- nuestro padre (our father) - singular masculine
- nuestros padres (our parents) - plural masculine
Example sentences
The following examples demonstrate how to use family vocabulary with possessive adjectives in different contexts:
Worked Example: Present Tense Descriptions
- Me parezco a mi padre. - I look like my father.
- Mis padres son muy simpáticos. - My parents are very nice.
- Nuestra abuela es bastante activa. - Our grandmother is quite active.
Family Composition Examples:
- Soy hijo único/hija única. - I am an only child.
- Tengo un hermano mayor y una hermana menor. - I have an older brother and a younger sister.
Grammar and pronunciation tips
Understanding the patterns in Spanish family vocabulary will help you master both grammar and pronunciation more effectively.
Pluralization Rules
When talking about multiple family members, Spanish follows predictable patterns:
- Words ending in vowels add -s: padre → padres (parents/fathers)
- Words ending in consonants add -es: hermano → hermanos (brothers/brothers and sisters)
Critical Concept: When referring to mixed groups (like brothers and sisters together), Spanish uses the masculine plural form: hermanos can mean "brothers" or "brothers and sisters." This is a fundamental rule that applies throughout Spanish grammar.
Pronunciation tip: The double 'r' in hermano is rolled, and remember that 'j' in hijo sounds like the 'h' in "hello" but stronger.
Translation practice
Test your understanding with these translation exercises that combine family vocabulary with possessive adjectives:
Translation Practice Exercise
Spanish to English:
- A veces creo que me gustaría tener una hermana.
- Tengo todo el amor de mis padres porque soy hija única.
English to Spanish: 3. What are your grandparents like? 4. She lives with her mum and stepdad.
Answers:
- Sometimes I think I would like to have a sister.
- I have all my parents' love because I am an only child.
- ¿Cómo son tus abuelos?
- Ella vive con su madre y su padrastro.
Key Points to Remember:
- Family vocabulary follows typical masculine/feminine patterns - most words ending in -o are masculine, those ending in -a are feminine
- Possessive adjectives must agree with the thing being possessed, not the person who owns it
- Mixed groups of family members use the masculine plural form (hermanos = brothers and sisters)
- Practice describing your own family using different tenses to build confidence
- Remember that padres means "parents" not just "fathers" - context is key in Spanish!