Germans value their families greatly and use specific words to refer to various relatives. Whether you’re addressing a family member, asking about someone’s family, or simply discussing your own, understanding the German terms for relatives is essential. In this guide, you will learn how to say relatives in German, including both the formal and informal ways. We will also touch upon any regional variations, although German family terms are generally similar throughout the country. So let’s dive in and explore the rich vocabulary for German relatives!
Table of Contents
Immediate Family Members
The immediate family members are those people who share the closest bonds with us. Here are the German words for immediate family members:
1. Parents
When referring to your own parents or addressing someone else’s parents, use the following terms:
- Vater – father
- Mutter – mother
If you’re talking about your father’s side of the family, you may sometimes hear:
- Papa – dad
- Opa – grandpa
For your mother’s side of the family, you might use:
- Mama – mom
- Oma – grandma
2. Siblings
Siblings share a special bond, and here’s how to say brother and sister in German:
- Bruder – brother
- Schwester – sister
Extended Family Members
Once you’ve covered the immediate family, it’s time to explore the German words for extended family members. These include aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents, and more.
1. Aunts and Uncles
When referring to aunts and uncles, there are specific terms based on the gender of the relative:
- Tante – aunt
- Onkel – uncle
2. Cousins
In German, the word “cousin” is gender-specific, so there are different terms based on whether you’re referring to a male or female cousin:
- Cousin – male cousin
- Kusine – female cousin
3. Grandparents
German has specific words for grandparents, differentiating between the paternal and maternal sides of the family:
- Großvater / Opa – grandfather (paternal)
- Großmutter / Oma – grandmother (paternal)
- Großvater / Opa – grandfather (maternal)
- Großmutter / Oma – grandmother (maternal)
4. Nephews and Nieces
When talking about your siblings’ children or your own children’s cousins, you can use the following terms:
- Neffe – nephew
- Nichte – niece
Additional Family Terminology
Now that we’ve covered the essential relatives, let’s explore some additional family-related terms in German:
1. In-laws
When someone gets married, they become part of their spouse’s family. Here’s how to refer to your in-laws:
- Schwiegermutter – mother-in-law
- Schwiegervater – father-in-law
- Schwägerin – sister-in-law
- Schwager – brother-in-law
2. Godparents
In Germany, godparents hold a special place in a child’s life. The German terms for godparents are:
- Taufpate – godfather
- Taufpatin – godmother
Formal and Informal Ways of Addressing Relatives
In German, you may need to adjust your language depending on the situation and your relationship with the relative you’re addressing. Here are the formal and informal ways of addressing family members:
Formal: When speaking with someone you don’t know well or a person from an older generation, it is appropriate to use formal language. For example, you would address your grandparents as “Großvater” and “Großmutter” instead of the more casual “Opa” and “Oma.”
Informal: Informal language is used when speaking with someone you’re close to or of a younger generation. For instance, you might use “Opa” and “Oma” when addressing your grandparents, which conveys a warmer and more intimate connection.
Regional Variations
The German terms for relatives generally remain consistent throughout the country. However, some regional variations exist, particularly concerning dialects. Here are a few examples:
In Bavaria:
- Oachkatzlschwoaf – a playful term sometimes used in Bavaria to refer to a squirrel’s tail (not a commonly used term!)
In northern Germany:
- Öllerböller – a colloquial term sometimes used to refer to an uncle
However, it’s important to note that these regional variations are not commonly used and might even confuse native German speakers. Stick to the standard terms when speaking German, especially if you’re learning the language.
Putting It All Together
Now that you have a comprehensive list of German family terms, it’s time to start using them in practice. Remember to consider whether you should address your relatives formally or informally based on the context and your relationship with them. Practice using these terms regularly to solidify your understanding and increase your fluency in German. Viel Erfolg! (Good luck!)
