German Family Vocabulary
Learn German family vocabulary, from your closest relatives to extended family words like son-in-law or niece. This page covers 100+ family names with their German articles, pronunciations, and example sentences in English. Select the words you want to learn, then practice with flashcards, quizzes, and a practice test.
parents
father
mother
dad
mom
mum
brother
sister
siblings
son
daughter
child
children
baby
youngest child
elder brother
younger brother
elder sister
younger sister
grandparents
grandfather
grandmother
uncle
aunt
boyfriend
girlfriend
daddy
mommy
grandpa
gramps
Stief- and Halb-: Two Different Kinds of Step
Stief- marks a step-relation with no shared biology: die Stiefmutter (stepmother), der Stiefbruder (stepbrother). Halb- marks a half-sibling who shares exactly one biological parent: der Halbbruder, die Halbschwester. English uses 'step' loosely for both; German keeps them separate.
Groß- and Ur-: Stacking Generations
Groß- adds one generation up: die Großmutter (grandmother), der Großvater (grandfather). Ur- adds another: die Urgroßmutter is a great-grandmother, and stacking it again - Ururgroßmutter - reaches a great-great-grandmother. The prefix just keeps stacking as far back as the family goes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between Stiefbruder and Halbbruder?+
Stiefbruder shares no biological parent - he's the son of a parent's new spouse. Halbbruder shares exactly one biological parent. English often calls both a 'stepbrother'; German keeps the distinction.
How do you say great-grandmother in German?+
Urgroßmutter. Add another Ur- for great-great-grandmother: Ururgroßmutter.
Is there a German word for foster family?+
Yes - Pflege- marks foster relations (die Pflegemutter, das Pflegekind), and Adoptiv- marks adoptive ones (die Adoptivmutter, der Adoptivvater).
How do I practice this family vocabulary?+
Select the words you want, then use the bar at the bottom to start Flashcards, Multiple Choice, or a Final Test.
Practice Family Vocabulary
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