familia
/faˈmilja/feminine
The English word 'family' is translated into Spanish as familia.
familia is the standard and most commonly used word for family in Spanish to describe a group of people related by blood, marriage, law or custom. If you need to refer specifically to the extended family, including distant relatives, you can use the formal term parentela. For emphasizing lineage or ancestry, use the formal term linaje.
Meaning: group of people related by blood, marriage, law, or custom (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of familia is las familias.
How do you pronounce it?
/faˈmilja/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Because familia is a feminine noun, remember to pair it with feminine articles such as la or las.
Did you know?
- The word familia traces its roots back to the Latin term for the group of enslaved people belonging to a single household.
- The role of the padrino or madrina creates a spiritual bond called compadrazgo that elevates a friend to the status of familia.
- While English speakers often use 'family' to mean only close relatives, in many Spanish-speaking cultures, the term 'familia' can culturally extend to close friends who are treated like kin.
Examples in context
- Odio a mi familia.I hate my family.This sentence is useful for expressing a feeling toward your familia.Tatoeba #2680522 by Shishir, translation #2681482 by iainmb93
- Son de la familia.They're part of the family.This sentence is useful for stating that someone is part of the familia.Tatoeba #7917836 by fpp, translation #7120311 by CM
- Cuido a mi familia.I take care of my family.This sentence is useful for expressing that you care for your familia.Tatoeba #5205404 by Elyte, translation #5205168 by CK
- La familia es muy importante para mí.Family is very important to me.
- Tenemos una gran parentela en este pueblo.We have a large extended family in this town.
- Pertenezco a un linaje noble.I belong to a noble lineage.
- Vamos a visitar a mis parientes en el campo.We're going to visit my relatives in the countryside.
- 664 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Sofía and Daniel are talking about their weekend plans.
- SofíaVoy a visitar a mi familia.I am going to visit my family.
- Daniel¡Qué bien! ¿Dónde vive tu familia?That's great! Where does your family live?
- SofíaMi familia vive en Madrid.My family lives in Madrid.
- DanielEspero que tengas un buen viaje.I hope you have a good trip.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “family” translations and entries familia, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries familia, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
