Family members in English! (And Not Just Yak Ones)

Talking about family is easy… until you meet someone’s in-laws, step-siblings, and a mysterious “cousin once removed.” Then your brain tries to exit the group chat.

This list gives you the common words, the extended-family chaos, and the modern family phrases you actually hear in real life. Every term has an example sentence so you can steal it confidently.

Yak Snark: If someone says “This is my cousin,” do not ask, “What kind of cousin?” Smile. Nod. Later, privately consult this page like a normal person.

Quick visuals: the core crew

These are the “you’ll use them constantly” family words. Tap Hear to practice.

mother

Your female parent. Informal: mom (US), mum (UK).

For example: My mother lives in Kaohsiung.

Also: mom / mum

father

Your male parent. Informal: dad.

For example: My father taught me how to ride a bike.

Also: dad

sister

A female sibling.

For example: My sister is older than me.

Sibling = brother/sister

brother

A male sibling.

For example: My brother and I share a birthday month.

Sibling = brother/sister

grandmother

Your mother’s mother or your father’s mother. Informal: grandma, nan.

For example: My grandmother makes amazing dumplings.

Also: grandma / nan

grandfather

Your mother’s father or your father’s father. Informal: grandpa.

For example: My grandfather tells the best stories.

Also: grandpa

aunt

Your parent’s sister (or your uncle’s wife).

For example: My aunt lives in Singapore.

Family gatherings staple

uncle

Your parent’s brother (or your aunt’s husband).

For example: My uncle always brings snacks.

Snack provider energy

The full list: family words and phrases

All the related terms you’ll actually see and hear: immediate family, extended family, marriage, stepfamily, and more.

Word / phrase	Meaning	Example
parent mother or father	A mother or a father.	For example: One parent will pick you up after school.
child	A son or a daughter.	For example: They have one child and two dogs.
son	A male child.	For example: Their son just started kindergarten.
daughter	A female child.	For example: Her daughter loves reading.
sibling	Your brother or sister.	For example: I have two siblings.
older brother	A brother who is older than you.	For example: My older brother gave me advice.
younger sister	A sister who is younger than you.	For example: My younger sister is in middle school.
grandparent	Grandmother or grandfather.	For example: My grandparents visit every summer.
grandparents	Both grandmothers/grandfathers as a group.	For example: My grandparents live nearby.
grandchild	A grandparent’s child’s child.	For example: She has three grandchildren.
grandson	A male grandchild.	For example: Her grandson is learning to swim.
granddaughter	A female grandchild.	For example: His granddaughter made him a card.
cousin	Your aunt or uncle’s child.	For example: My cousin is visiting this weekend.
niece	Your sibling’s daughter.	For example: My niece loves cartoons.
nephew	Your sibling’s son.	For example: My nephew is learning English.
relative	A family member (general word).	For example: We are visiting relatives during the holidays.
distant relative	A relative you are not closely related to.	For example: He is a distant relative from my dad’s side.
husband	A married man (partner).	For example: Her husband works downtown.
wife	A married woman (partner).	For example: His wife speaks three languages.
spouse	Your husband or wife (gender-neutral).	For example: Please bring your spouse to the dinner.
partner	A romantic partner (often not specifying marriage).	For example: My partner will join us later.
fiance	A man you are engaged to.	For example: Her fiance proposed last month.
fiancee	A woman you are engaged to.	For example: His fiancee is planning the wedding.
in-laws	Your spouse’s family.	For example: We are having dinner with my in-laws.
mother-in-law	Your spouse’s mother.	For example: My mother-in-law is very kind.
father-in-law	Your spouse’s father.	For example: My father-in-law loves hiking.
sister-in-law	Your spouse’s sister (or your sibling’s wife).	For example: My sister-in-law works in marketing.
brother-in-law	Your spouse’s brother (or your sibling’s husband).	For example: My brother-in-law is visiting tomorrow.
stepmother	Your parent’s new wife (not your biological mother).	For example: My stepmother and I get along well.
stepfather	Your parent’s new husband (not your biological father).	For example: My stepfather taught me how to cook.
stepsister	Your stepparent’s daughter (or parent’s spouse’s daughter).	For example: My stepsister is the same age as me.
stepbrother	Your stepparent’s son (or parent’s spouse’s son).	For example: My stepbrother plays basketball.
stepchild	Your spouse’s child from a previous relationship.	For example: She treats her stepchildren like her own.
half sister	A sister who shares one parent with you.	For example: My half sister and I share the same dad.
half brother	A brother who shares one parent with you.	For example: My half brother lives overseas.
adopted son	A son legally adopted.	For example: They adopted a son two years ago.
adopted daughter	A daughter legally adopted.	For example: Her adopted daughter loves music.
adoptive parents	The parents who adopted a child.	For example: His adoptive parents supported him a lot.
godmother	A person chosen to support a child (often in a religious tradition).	For example: My godmother sends me a birthday message every year.
godfather	The male version of godmother.	For example: My godfather helped me move apartments.
great-grandmother	Your grandparent’s mother.	For example: My great-grandmother lived to 98.
great-grandfather	Your grandparent’s father.	For example: My great-grandfather was a farmer.
only child	A child with no siblings.	For example: She is an only child, so she grew up with lots of adult conversations.
twins	Two children born at the same time.	For example: They have twins, and both are loud.
single parent	A parent raising a child alone.	For example: He is a single parent with two kids.
blended family	A family formed when partners bring children from previous relationships.	For example: They are a blended family, so holidays take planning.
extended family	Family beyond parents and children (aunts, uncles, cousins, etc.).	For example: My extended family is huge.
close-knit family	A family that is very close and supportive.	For example: They are a close-knit family who helps each other.
family tree	A diagram showing family relationships.	For example: We made a family tree for a school project.
next of kin	The closest living relative (often used in hospitals or legal contexts).	For example: Please list your next of kin on the form.
family reunion	A big gathering of relatives.	For example: We have a family reunion every two years.

Optional variants: what people actually say

Same person, different vibes. These are common across global English.

More standard	Common variants	Example
mother	mom (US), mum (UK), mama (many places)	For example: Mum will call you after dinner.
father	dad, daddy (kid talk), pops (casual)	For example: My dad is picking me up.
grandmother	grandma, granny, nan, nana	For example: Grandma makes the best noodles.
grandfather	grandpa, granddad	For example: Grandpa loves gardening.
spouse	husband, wife, partner	For example: I will check with my partner.

Yak Snark: If you forget a word, use relative. It’s the duct tape of family vocabulary. Not elegant, but it holds.