Großfamilie
/ˈɡʁoːsfaˌmiːli̯ə/feminine
The English phrase "extended family" can be translated into German as Großfamilie or Verwandtschaft.
Meaning: family with additional members (noun)
Ways to say it
| German | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Großfamilie | /ˈɡʁoːsfaˌmiːli̯ə/ | feminine |
| Verwandtschaft | /ferˈvantʃaft/ | feminine |
In German, you use different terms depending on whether you are describing a specific family structure or the concept of one's relatives. Großfamilie is used to describe the structure of a large family unit, while Verwandtschaft refers more broadly to one's relatives or kinship.
What does it mean word for word?
The word Großfamilie is a compound of groß (large/big) and Familie (family).
Which one should you use?
Großfamilie refers specifically to an extended family structure, whereas Verwandtschaft is a broader term for one's relatives.
How does it change in a sentence?
Großfamilie is a feminine noun. Its plural form is Großfamilien. Verwandtschaft is a feminine collective noun and is typically used in the singular to describe a group of relatives.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈɡʁoːsfaˌmiːli̯ə/
Did you know?
- In many German regions, if you want to be very specific about your 'extended family' beyond the nuclear unit, you might use the term Sippschaft, though this can sometimes sound slightly mocking or informal.
- In German, you can describe a distant relative as weitläufige Verwandtschaft, which literally translates to 'wide-ranging kinship', suggesting a physical or conceptual map of the family.
- While Großfamilie suggests a large number of people, a German speaker might use it to describe a household where multiple generations live under one roof, regardless of the total headcount.
Examples in context
- Hättest du Lust, morgen gemeinsam etwas mit deiner Großfamilie zu unternehmen? Ja, das wäre toll! Meine Großfamilie ist wirklich groß, mit vielen Verwandten.Would you like to do something together with your extended family tomorrow? Yes, that would be great! My extended family is really large, with many relatives.
- In einer Großfamilie ist immer viel los.There is always a lot going on in an extended family.
- Ich bin in einer Großfamilie aufgewachsen.I grew up in an extended family.
Example conversation
Laura and Lukas are talking about their childhoods.
- LauraHast du eine Großfamilie?Do you have an extended family?
- LukasJa, ich habe viele Cousins und Tanten.Yes, I have many cousins and aunts.
- LauraDas klingt nach viel Spaß.That sounds like a lot of fun.
- LukasManchmal ist die Großfamilie aber auch stressig.But sometimes the extended family is also stressful.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “extended family” translations and entries Großfamilie, Verwandtschaft, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
