Family is the group of people who are related to you. Learning family words helps you talk about the important people in your life.

Immediate Family

Mother: The woman who is your parent Example: “My mother cooks dinner every night.” (Also called: Mom, Mum)

Father: The man who is your parent Example: “My father drives me to school.” (Also called: Dad, Papa)

Parents: Your mother and father together Example: “My parents help me with my homework.”

Sister: A girl who has the same parents as you Example: “My sister is older than me.”

Brother: A boy who has the same parents as you Example: “I play games with my brother.”

Siblings: All your brothers and sisters together Example: “I have three siblings – two sisters and one brother.”

Baby: A very young child in a family Example: “The baby is only six months old.”

Child/Children: Young people in a family Example: “They have two children, a boy and a girl.”

Son: A male child Example: “Their son is five years old.”

Daughter: A female child Example: “Their daughter goes to university.”

Extended Family

Grandmother: Your parent’s mother Example: “My grandmother bakes cookies for me.” (Also called: Grandma, Granny, Nana)

Grandfather: Your parent’s father Example: “My grandfather tells interesting stories.” (Also called: Grandpa, Granddad)

Grandparents: Your grandmother and grandfather together Example: “I visit my grandparents on weekends.”

Uncle: Your parent’s brother or your aunt’s husband Example: “My uncle lives in another city.”

Aunt: Your parent’s sister or your uncle’s wife Example: “My aunt brings me presents on my birthday.”

Cousin: The child of your aunt or uncle Example: “My cousins come to our house for holidays.”

Niece: Your sister’s or brother’s daughter Example: “My niece is learning to walk.”

Nephew: Your sister’s or brother’s son Example: “My nephew starts school next year.”

Family by Marriage

Husband: A man who is married Example: “Her husband works at a hospital.”

Wife: A woman who is married Example: “His wife teaches English.”

Spouse: Your husband or wife Example: “He lives with his spouse in a small apartment.”

In-laws: Relatives by marriage Example: “We visit my in-laws for Christmas.”

Mother-in-law: Your husband’s or wife’s mother Example: “My mother-in-law gave us a present.”

Father-in-law: Your husband’s or wife’s father Example: “Her father-in-law is very kind.”

Family Relationships

Family tree: A diagram showing family relationships Example: “I made a family tree for my school project.”

Relative: Any person in your family Example: “I have relatives living in different countries.”

Only child: A person with no brothers or sisters Example: “He is an only child.”

Twins: Two children born at the same time Example: “The twins look exactly the same.”

Stepmother/Stepfather: Your parent’s new wife/husband Example: “My stepfather lives with us.”

Half-brother/Half-sister: Someone who shares one parent with you Example: “My half-sister has the same father as me.”

Adopted: Becoming part of a family legally, not by birth Example: “They adopted a baby girl last year.”

Talking About Family

“How many people are in your family?” “Do you have any brothers or sisters?” “What does your father/mother do?” “Where do your grandparents live?” “Are you married?” “Do you have any children?”

Remember that families can be different. Some families are big, and some are small. Some people live with their grandparents or aunts and uncles. All families are important!