primo segundo
/ˌpɾimo seˈɡundo/
The Spanish phrase for second cousin is primo segundo.
This phrase refers to a relative who shares a set of great-grandparents with you.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase changes gender to match the cousins: use primo segundo for a male, prima segunda for a female and primos segundos for a mixed-gender group. Note that in Spanish, the adjective segundo follows the noun primo, which is the opposite of the English structure where the ordinal number precedes the noun.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˌpɾimo seˈɡundo/
Did you know?
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, the term primo is often used as a friendly, informal way to address a close friend or someone from your same neighborhood, even if there is no blood relation.
- The word primo comes from the Latin word for 'first'. This means that in Spanish, the very word for 'cousin' literally means 'first cousin'.
- Spanish speakers often use primo to describe any relative of a similar generation, regardless of whether they are a first, second or third cousin.
Examples in context
- El primo segundo de su esposa era miembro del consejo de Gobierno judío.His wife's second cousin was a member of the Jewish ruling council.Tatoeba #1625100 by hayastan, translation #30141 by CM
- ¿Conoces a mi primo segundo?Do you know my second cousin?
- Él es mi primo segundo.He is my second cousin.
- Tengo un primo segundo que vive en Madrid.I have a second cousin who lives in Madrid.
Example conversation
Daniel and Lucía are talking about their family members at a party.
- Daniel¿Conoces a ese chico?Do you know that boy?
- LucíaSí, es mi primo segundo.Yes, he is my second cousin.
- DanielNo sabía que tenías más familia aquí.I didn't know you had more family here.
- LucíaEs una familia muy grande.It is a very large family.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry primo segundo, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries primo, segundo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
