We all come from a family, and each family's configuration is different. To communicate well in English, it is essential to increase your vocabulary and one way is to learn how to call the people you spend most time with. There are relatives who are blood relatives, those you gain when you get married and those who are part of your life because they play an important role in your life.

In today's article, CCAA listed the names of family members in English and some phrases for you to practice the language with the new vocabulary. So…let's learn!

Learn the name of the whole family in English

For almost everyone who asks you what “mother” and “father” are called in English, the answer will be: mother and father – and this is already a great start to learning the other names of relatives in English. The variety of these names is not as wide as in Portuguese, many of them are formed with suffixes or prefixes, which makes learning easier.

Now see the list we have put together with the terms for family in English:

Parents and children

The relationship between parents and children is the first one we form, so it is only fair that it is the first one we learn as well. Find out how to call your parents in English:

• Parents: country;
• Mother : mother;
• Father: father.

Other more affectionate and informal way to refer to mother and father in English:

• Mom/mommy: mommy;
• Dad/daddy: daddy.

For children and siblings the translation into English is as follows:

• Daughter: daughter;
• Son: son;
• Sister: sister;
• Brother: brother;
• Siblings: brothers;
• Child: child/son/daughter;
• Children: children/sons.

And even though it's not mandatory, you can add an adjective to specify adoption when speaking in English, like:

• Adoptive father or foster father: adoptive father;
• Adoptive mother or foster mother: adoptive mother;
• Adoptive parents or foster parents: adoptive parents.

To indicate kinship without blood connection, the term “step” appears as a prefix:

• Stepmother: stepmother;
• Stepfather: stepfather;
• Stepdaughter: stepdaughter;
• Stepson: stepson;
• Stepsister: half-sister (daughter of the stepmother or stepfather);
• Stepbrother: half-sibling (stepmother's or stepfather's daughter).

If the family has siblings only on the mother's or father's side, the following words can be used to refer to them:

• Halfsister: sister on one of the parents' side;
• Halfbrother: brother on one of the parents' side.

Grandparents and grandchildren

To refer to the kinship between grandparents and grandchildren the prefix is used grand-, check it out:

• Grandmother: grandmother;
• Grandfather: grandmother;
• Grandparents: grandparents;
• Granddaughter: granddaughter;
• Grandson: grandchild;
• Grandchildren: grandchildren.

The following abbreviations can be used to refer to grandparents more affectionately:

• Grandma/nana/granny: grandfather;
• Grandpa/grandad: grandfather.

To refer to the great-grandfathers the word great is added:

• Great grandmother: great grandmother;
• Great grandfather: great grandmother;
• Great grandparents: great-grandparents.

Uncle (a) and cousin (a)

To refer to the siblings of their parents and their respective children, we use the following words in English:

• Aunt: aunt;
• Uncle: uncle;
• Cousin: cousin;
• Daughter: niece;
• Nephew: nephew.

Relationship status

Depending on the stage of your relationship with another person, we have a different way of referring to them. Check out the English translation for each one:

• Girlfriend: girlfriend;
• Boyfriend: boyfriend;
• Fiancée: bride;
• Fiancé: groom;
• Bride: bride (word used only to refer to the bride on her wedding day);
• Groom: groom (word used only to refer to the groom on the wedding day);
• Wife: wife;
• Husband: husband;
• Spouse: spouse.

In-laws

To refer to relatives who are not blood relatives, that is, those who are part of the family through marriage, we use the suffix “-in law”, which means “by law”. Check it out:

• Mother-in-law: mother-in-law;
• Father-in-law: father-in-law;
• Parents-in-law: in-laws;
• Daughter-in-law: daughter-in-law;
• Son-in-law: genre;
• Sister-in-law: sister-in-law;
• Brother-in-law: brother-in-law.

Other family members

Some people, even without blood ties or by law, are considered relatives due to their role in our lives. Check out how to refer to them in English:

• Maid of honor: wedding godmother;
• Best man: best man.

In the case of a religious relationship, the prefix is used god, look:

• Godmother: godmother;
• Godfather: godfather;
• Goddaugther: goddaughter;
• Godson: godson;
• Godchild: godson (no gender specification).

Phrases and questions about family

Check out some examples to start practicing English conversation with your relatives:

• My niece makes the most delicious pie in the city. – My niece makes the most delicious pies in town.
• Mothers usually know what their babies need. – Mothers usually know what their babies need.
• William and Kate are husband and wife. – Willian and Kate are husband and wife.
• Who do you look up to the most in your family? I look up to myself sister the most because she is extremely smart. – Who do you admire most in your family? I admire my sister, because she is extremely smart.
• Do you have a brother or sister? – Do you have a brother or sister?
• I'm an only child. – I am an only child.
• I have three nephews who live in the USA. – I have three nephews who live in the USA.
• Could you help me half brother? – Could you help my stepbrother?
• My fiancé and I will get married in July. – My fiancé and I are getting married in July.
• Do you get along with your stepmother? – Do you get along with your stepmother?
• My mother's brother is mine uncle. – My mother's brother is my uncle.
• My father was born in 1960. – My father was born in 1960.
• My grandmother lives downtown. – My great-grandmother lives in the city center.
• Do you have any children? - Do you have children?
• She is mine girlfriend. – She is my girlfriend.

And now that you have learned what to call each member of your family in English, How about practicing vocabulary by building your family tree? See also post Compliments in English that you can use today! and take advantage of it to use in conversations with your family.

Here in blog from CCAA you will find many practical tips and content for a true immersion in the English language. Keep following us! See you later!