tu primo
/tu pɾimo/from spelling rules
In Spanish, the phrase for "your cousin" is tu primo.
This phrase refers to a male relative who is the child of one's aunt or uncle. In colloquial language, the word primo can also be used to refer to a close friend.
Which one should you use?
tu primo is used for informal address, while su primo is used for formal address.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form changes based on the gender of the cousin and the level of formality. Use primo for a male cousin and prima for a female cousin. For example, if the cousin is female, you would use tu prima in an informal context.
How do you pronounce it?
/tu pɾimo/
Did you know?
- The word primo shares its root with the English word 'prime', both descending from the Latin word for 'first'.
- In certain Spanish-speaking Caribbean-influenced slang, calling someone primo is a way to address a stranger or a peer with a sense of street-level camaraderie.
- In many Latin American cultures, the term primo is used affectionately for any distant relative, even if they are not technically cousins by blood.
Examples in context
- Tom es tu primo, ¿no?Tom is your cousin, isn't he?This sentence is useful for confirming a relationship using tu primo.Tatoeba #10717185 by SeaLiteral, translation #3417262 by CK
- Me ha dicho que tu primo es simpatiquísimo y que quiere volver a verlo.He said that your cousin is very nice, and that he wants to see him again.This sentence is useful for describing a cousin's personality using tu primo.Tatoeba #6451189 by diegohn, translation #8391519 by helloroto
- Luke, yo soy tu primo.Luke, I am your cousin.This sentence is useful for introducing yourself as a cousin using tu primo.Tatoeba #941402 by pabloignacio, translation #917766 by Scott
- Señora López, su prima es muy simpática.Mrs. López, your cousin is very nice.
- Tomás, ¿tu primo juega fútbol también?Tomás, does your cousin play soccer too?
- María, tu prima está invitada a la fiesta.Maria, your cousin is invited to the party.
- ¡Hola, primo! ¿Cómo estás?Hey, cousin! How are you?
- 5 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Javier and Elena are looking at an old family photo.
- Javier¿Quién es el chico de la foto?Who is the boy in the photo?
- ElenaÉl es tu primo Luis.He is your cousin Luis.
- JavierNo recuerdo haberlo visto nunca.I don't remember ever having seen him.
- ElenaEs que tu primo vive en Italia.It's just that your cousin lives in Italy.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries primo, tu, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
