My Family (Leaving Cert Spanish): Revision Notes
My family
This topic covers how to describe your family composition, relationships, and dynamics for your Spanish oral exam. You'll need to discuss family members, responsibilities, and personal relationships with confidence.
This comprehensive guide provides everything you need to confidently discuss your family in Spanish. Focus on learning the key expressions and adapting the model answers to your own family situation rather than memorising word-for-word responses.
Basic family composition
When describing your family structure, start with the total number of people and then break it down by individual members. This is usually the opening question in family-related oral exams.
Essential vocabulary:
- Mi familia = My family
- Somos [number] en mi familia = There are [number] in my family
- Soy hijo único/hija única = I'm an only child
- Tengo [number] hermanos = I have [number] brothers/sisters
- Mi padre/madre = My father/mother
- Mi hermano/hermana = My brother/sister
- Gemelos/gemelas = Twins
Ejemplo: Describing Family Size
- "Somos cuatro en mi familia: mis padres, mi hermana y yo"
- "Soy hija única, así que somos tres en casa"
- "Tengo dos hermanos gemelos, así que somos cinco en total"
Translation: "There are four in my family: my parents, my sister and me" / "I'm an only child, so there are three of us at home" / "I have twin brothers, so there are five of us in total"
Describing family members and occupations
You should be able to describe what your family members do for work and their basic characteristics. This shows you can use different vocabulary and varied sentence structures.
Ejemplo: Family Member Descriptions
- "Mi padre es profesor y trabaja en la universidad" = My father is a teacher and works at the university
- "Mi madre es ama de casa" = My mother is a stay-at-home mum
- "Mi hermana mayor estudia medicina" = My older sister studies medicine
- "Tengo primos que son como mis hermanos" = I have cousins who are like my brothers
Family relationships and dynamics
Describe how well you get along with different family members, including any occasional conflicts. Examiners appreciate honest and realistic responses rather than perfect family portrayals.
Key expressions:
- Me llevo muy bien con = I get on very well with
- Nos llevamos bien = We get on well
- De vez en cuando discutimos = From time to time we argue
- Tenemos muchas cosas en común = We have many things in common
- Me pone de muy mal humor = It puts me in a very bad mood
Ejemplo: Realistic Family Dynamics
"En general, todos nos llevamos muy bien, aunque de vez en cuando mi hermano y yo discutimos por tonterías"
Translation: Generally speaking, we all get on very well, although from time to time my brother and I argue about silly things
Household responsibilities
Explain what responsibilities you have at home and whether you help look after younger siblings. This demonstrates your ability to discuss daily routines and responsibilities.
Useful vocabulary:
- Tengo responsabilidades = I have responsibilities
- Cuidar a mis hermanos = To look after my siblings
- Ayudar en casa = To help at home
- Echar una mano = To give a hand
- Poner la mesa = To set the table
- Sacar la basura = To take out the rubbish
Ejemplo: Discussing Responsibilities
"Soy el/la mayor y algunos fines de semana mis padres salen y me dan dinero por cuidar a mis hermanos. Es muy fácil, mis hermanos no son muy traviesos"
Translation: I'm the eldest and some weekends my parents go out and they give me money for looking after my siblings. It's very easy, my siblings are not very naughty.
Physical appearance and personality
Describe who you resemble in your family, both physically and in terms of personality. This topic allows you to use comparative structures and descriptive vocabulary.
Key phrases:
- Me parezco físicamente a = I physically look like
- En el carácter me parezco más a = In terms of character, I'm more like
- Soy alto/a y rubio/a como él/ella = I'm tall and blonde like him/her
- Soy un poco testarudo/a y tranquilo/a = I'm a bit stubborn and quiet
Ejemplo: Physical and Character Resemblance
"La gente dice que me parezco físicamente a mi padre porque soy alto y rubio como él. En el carácter me parezco más a mi madre porque soy un poco testarudo y tranquilo"
Translation: People say that physically I look like my father because I'm tall and blonde like him. In terms of character, I'm more like my mother because I'm a bit stubborn and quiet.
Relationship with parents
Discuss how you get along with your parents and whether they are strict. This is a common follow-up question that tests your ability to express opinions and emotions.
Essential expressions:
- Me llevo mejor con = I get on better with
- Tenemos una personalidad muy parecida = We have very similar personalities
- Son muy extrovertidos y sociables = They are very outgoing and sociable
- Siempre me escuchan y me dan consejos = They always listen to me and give me advice
- Mis padres confían en mí = My parents trust me
- Son comprensivos = They are understanding
Ejemplo: Extended Parent Relationship Discussion
"Me llevo muy bien con los dos. Si estoy preocupado siempre me escuchan y me dan consejos. A veces sí, ellos esperan que estudie y saque buenas notas este año, pero yo soy una persona muy responsable y mis padres confían en mí"
Translation: I get on very well with both of them. If I'm worried they always listen to me and give me advice. Sometimes yes, they expect me to study and get good marks this year, but I'm a very responsible person and my parents trust me.
Pets and animals
Be prepared to discuss whether you have pets and describe their characteristics. Even if you don't have pets, you should be able to explain why and express preferences or wishes.
Pet vocabulary:
- Mascotas = Pets
- Tengo un perro/gato = I have a dog/cat
- Es muy cariñoso = He/she is very affectionate
- Doy un paseo con = I go for a walk with
- Es alérgico a = He/she is allergic to
- Tiene miedo a = He/she is afraid of
Ejemplo: Pet Responses
With pets: "Sí, tengo un perro. Es muy cariñoso. Todos los días doy un paseo con él" Yes, I have a dog. He's very affectionate. Every day I go for a walk with him
Without pets: "No tengo mascotas. Me encantaría tener una mascota pero a mi madre no le gustan nada los animales" I don't have pets. I'd love to have a pet but my mother doesn't like animals at all
Typical examiner questions
Common Exam Questions - Practice These!
- ¿Háblame de tu familia? = Tell me about your family
- ¿Quién es el mayor en tu familia? = Who is the eldest in your family?
- ¿Tienes responsabilidades en casa? = Do you have responsibilities at home?
- ¿A quién te pareces en tu familia? = Who do you look like in your family?
- ¿Cómo es tu relación con tus padres? = What's your relationship with your parents like?
- ¿Tus padres son muy estrictos? = Are your parents very strict?
- ¿Tienes mascotas en casa? = Do you have pets at home?
Key expressions for talking about family
Essential Family Expressions
Family size and composition:
- Somos tres/cuatro/cinco en mi familia = There are three/four/five in my family
- Soy hijo único/hija única = I'm an only child
- Soy el hijo/la hija del medio = I'm the middle child
Family relationships:
- Me llevo muy bien con mis hermanos = I get on very well with my siblings
- Casi nunca nos peleamos = We almost never fight
- Mis padres confían en mí y saben que soy responsable = My parents trust me and know that I'm responsible
- Hay un buen ambiente en nuestra familia = There's a good atmosphere in our family
Pronunciation tips
Critical Pronunciation Points
- Familia [fa-MI-lia] - stress on the second syllable
- Hermano [er-MA-no] - the 'h' is silent in Spanish
- Parecerse [pa-re-THER-se] - remember this is a reflexive verb
- Responsabilidades [res-pon-sa-bi-li-DA-des] - stress on the penultimate syllable
- Testarudo [tes-ta-RU-do] - stress on the third syllable
Grammar notes
Common Grammar Mistakes to Avoid
Age comparisons: Use mayor (older) and menor (younger) - these work for both masculine and feminine: Mi hermana mayor (my older sister), Mi hermano menor (my younger brother).
Reflexive verb "parecerse": Always use with reflexive pronouns: me parezco (I look like), te pareces (you look like), se parece (he/she looks like).
"Llevarse bien/mal": This expression requires the preposition con: Me llevo bien con mi padre (I get on well with my father).
Key Points to Remember:
- Use "Somos [number] en mi familia" to state family size clearly
- "Me llevo bien/mal con" is essential for describing relationships
- Show variety by using different tenses: present, past, and conditional
- Include specific details like ages, occupations, and personality traits
- Practice the reflexive verb "parecerse" for physical resemblance
- Be ready to discuss both positive aspects and minor conflicts in your family
- Prepare answers for pets even if you don't have any
- Practice pronunciation of key family vocabulary words