German Family Members Vocabulary
This lesson introduces the most important German family vocabulary, with articles and plurals. You learn your close family, your extended family, and your own family, plus a bonus tip for in-law and step relatives.
Close Family
| Singular | Plural | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| der Vater (Papa) | die Eltern | father, parents |
| die Mutter (Mama) | die Eltern | mother, parents |
| der Bruder | die Geschwister | brother, siblings |
| die Schwester | die Geschwister | sister, siblings |
Vater and Mutter are the official terms. Papa and Mama, Vati and Mutti or Papi and Mami sound nicer and less serious. Eltern and Geschwister are always plural.
Example: Ich habe einen Bruder. Ich habe eine Schwester. Das sind meine Geschwister.
Extended Family
| German | Meaning |
|---|---|
| der Großvater / der Opa | grandfather |
| die Großmutter / die Oma | grandmother |
| die Großeltern | grandparents (plural) |
| der Onkel | uncle |
| die Tante | aunt |
| der Cousin | male cousin |
| die Cousine | female cousin |
Opa and Oma are shorter and more common than Großvater and Großmutter.
Your Own Family
| German | Meaning |
|---|---|
| die Frau / die Ehefrau | wife |
| der Mann / der Ehemann | husband |
| der Sohn | son |
| die Tochter | daughter |
| die Kinder | children (plural) |
| der Schwiegersohn | son-in-law |
| der Enkel | grandson |
| die Enkelin | granddaughter |
| die Enkelkinder | grandchildren (plural) |
Ehe means marriage, so Ehefrau and Ehemann are a married woman and man. You can also simply say Frau and Mann.
Bonus Tip: Schwieger-, Stief- and Paten-
- Schwieger- means in-law: die Schwiegermutter (mother-in-law), der Schwiegervater (father-in-law).
- Stief- means step: der Stiefvater (stepfather).
- Patenonkel is also an important one (godfather, the uncle who is a godparent).
Question of the Day
Hast du Geschwister? Pay attention: haben takes the Akkusativ, so you say Ich habe einen Bruder and Ich habe eine Schwester.
What to Learn Next
Use these words with Mein, Dein, Sein: German Possessives and Possessive Articles in the Akkusativ. Review What Is Akkusativ? and German Plural Rules.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I say parents and siblings in German?
Die Eltern are the parents and die Geschwister are the siblings. Both words are always plural.
What is the difference between Großvater and Opa?
They mean the same, grandfather. Opa is shorter and more common, and Oma is the same for grandmother.
How do I say husband and wife in German?
Ehemann and Ehefrau, or simply Mann and Frau.
How do I say mother-in-law or stepfather in German?
Add Schwieger- for in-laws (Schwiegermutter) and Stief- for step relatives (Stiefvater).
How do I say I have a brother in German?
Ich habe einen Bruder. Haben takes the Akkusativ, so Bruder becomes einen Bruder.
Want to talk about your family and your life in German? Our A1 German online course teaches you step by step.
