familia numerosa
/familja numeɾosa/from spelling rules
The phrase for big family in Spanish is familia numerosa.
This phrase describes a family that has many children or many members. You might also use the expression una familia bastante grande to emphasize that a family is quite sizeable.
What does it mean word for word?
The adjective numerosa literally means 'numerous' or 'large in number.'
Which one should you use?
While familia grande is grammatically correct, familia numerosa is the standard, idiomatic way to describe a family with many members.
How does it change in a sentence?
To make the phrase plural, both the noun and the adjective must change to their feminine plural forms: familias numerosas.
Did you know?
- The Spanish word familia descends from the Latin term for the 'slave staff of a household'. In ancient Rome, this included not just blood relatives but all people owned by the head of the house.
- The term familia numerosa is often used in official Spanish administrative contexts. For example, it is a specific legal category used to grant certain tax benefits or discounts to families with many children.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, a familia numerosa often extends beyond parents and children to include 'tíos' and 'primos' living in the same household or nearby.
Examples in context
- Viene de una familia numerosa.He belongs to a big family.This sentence is useful for saying someone belongs to a familia numerosa.Tatoeba #5042274 by don_ramon, translation #5040443 by AlanF_US
- Ella tiene una familia numerosa.She has a big family.This sentence is useful for saying someone has a familia numerosa.Tatoeba #2003545 by camilou, translation #786207 by Eldad
- Cuando nos reunimos para las fiestas, ¡somos una gran familia!When we gather for the holidays, we are a big family!
- María es una orgullosa madre de familia numerosa, con cinco hijos.María is a proud mother of a large family, with five children.
- Con tantos tíos, primos y abuelos, tengo una familia bastante grande.With so many uncles, cousins, and grandparents, I have a pretty big family.
- Yo crecí en una familia numerosa.I grew up in a big family.
Example conversation
Elena and Javier are talking about their childhoods.
- ElenaTú tienes hermanos, ¿verdad?You have siblings, right?
- JavierSí, tengo cinco hermanos. Somos una familia numerosa.Yes, I have five siblings. We are a big family.
- Elena¡Qué increíble! Yo soy hija única.How amazing! I am an only child.
- JavierEs divertido, pero a veces es un caos.It's fun, but sometimes it's chaos.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries familia, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
