parientes
/paɾjentes/from spelling rules
In Spanish, the word for kin or relatives collectively is parientes.
parientes is used to refer to a group of relatives. If you wish to refer to your relatives in a more colloquial or informal manner, you can use the phrase la parentela.
Meaning: relatives collectively (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
The singular form of this noun is pariente, which translates to a single relative.
How do you pronounce it?
/paɾjentes/
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly use parientes to mean 'parents'. To express 'parents' (mother and father), you should use padres instead.
Did you know?
- In Spanish, the term parientes can include 'compadres' and 'comadres', who are the godparents of one's children and are treated as legal and emotional kin despite having no biological link.
- The phrase la parentela is not always a neutral term for kin. It is often used ironically or mockingly to describe an overwhelming and unruly crowd of relatives.
- Spanish uses a specific noun, parentesco, to define the exact legal or biological nature of a relationship between two parientes, a nuance that English usually describes with the phrase 'family ties'.
Examples in context
- Me encanta pasar tiempo con mi familia.I love spending time with my family.
- Voy a visitar a mis parientes este fin de semana.I'm going to visit my relatives this weekend.
- Mis parientes viven en diferentes partes del país.My relatives live in different parts of the country.
- Mis parientes viven en España.My relatives live in Spain.
- No quiero invitar a todos mis parientes.I don't want to invite all my relatives.
- Mis parientes son muy divertidos.My relatives are very funny.
Example conversation
Alejandro and María are discussing a family reunion.
- Alejandro¿Vendrán todos tus parientes a la fiesta?Will all your relatives come to the party?
- MaríaNo, solo algunos de mis parientes pueden venir.No, only some of my relatives can come.
- AlejandroEntiendo, es una lista muy larga.I understand, it is a very long list.
- MaríaSí, tengo muchos parientes en este país.Yes, I have many relatives in this country.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
