primo postizo
/pɾimo postiθo/from spelling rules
In Spanish, the phrase for play cousin is primo postizo.
The phrase primo postizo is used to describe a close family friend who is treated like a member of the family despite having no biological connection to them.
What does it mean word for word?
The term is composed of primo (cousin) and postizo (artificial, fake or false).
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase must agree in gender with the person being described: use primo postizo for a male and prima postiza for a female.
How do you pronounce it?
/pɾimo postiθo/
Did you know?
- The adjective postizo is most commonly used today to describe an 'artificial' hairpiece or a 'fake' eyelash. Calling someone a primo postizo uses that same sense of something being 'attached' or 'added' to the family.
- In some Spanish-speaking regions, calling a stranger primo is a common way to establish a friendly or trusting rapport, similar to using 'mate' or 'pal'.
- The word primo shares its linguistic root with the English word 'prime', both descending from a Latin origin meaning 'first' or 'foremost'.
Examples in context
- Él es mi primo postizo, pero lo quiero mucho.He is my play cousin, but I love him very much.
- No somos familia, solo es un primo postizo.We are not family, he is just a play cousin.
- Mi primo postizo me ayudó con la mudanza.My play cousin helped me with the move.
Example conversation
Elena and Javier are talking about a friend coming to visit.
- ElenaMañana viene mi primo postizo.My play cousin is coming tomorrow.
- Javier¿De verdad eres pariente de él?Are you really related to him?
- ElenaNo, es solo un primo postizo.No, he is just a play cousin.
- JavierAh, entiendo, entonces es un gran amigo.Oh, I see, so he is a great friend.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries postizo, primo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
