familiar
“familiar” means “family (adjective, used when modifying a noun)” in Spanish. It has 3 different meanings depending on context:
family (adjective, used when modifying a noun)
Also: domestic
📝 In Action
Tuvimos una cena familiar muy grande el domingo pasado.
A1We had a very large family dinner last Sunday.
Ella trabaja en un ambiente familiar y cálido.
A2She works in a warm, family atmosphere.
Necesitan un coche familiar para viajar con los niños.
B1They need a family car (estate car) to travel with the children.
familiar, intimate
Also: informal
📝 In Action
Esa cara me resulta familiar, ¿la conozco de algún sitio?
B1That face looks familiar to me, do I know her from somewhere?
Ella siempre tiene un trato muy familiar con sus empleados.
B2She always has a very personal (or informal/friendly) relationship with her employees.
El tema del cambio climático es muy familiar para los jóvenes.
B2The topic of climate change is very well-known to young people.
relative, family member
Also: kin
📝 In Action
Voy a visitar a mis familiares que viven en el extranjero.
A2I am going to visit my relatives who live abroad.
Es la familiar más joven de toda la familia.
B1She is the youngest relative in the entire family.
Todos los familiares se reunieron para el funeral.
B1All the family members gathered for the funeral.
Translate to Spanish
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: familiar
Question 1 of 2
¿Cuál de las siguientes frases usa 'familiar' como un sustantivo (una persona)?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
Comes directly from the Latin word *familiaris*, meaning 'of or belonging to a household' or 'domestic'. The meaning has remained very close to its original root over thousands of years.
First recorded: 13th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Does 'familiar' change its ending for feminine words?
Yes and no. When used as an adjective (meaning 'related to family' or 'known'), it only changes for plural (*familiares*), not for gender (*la situación familiar*). When used as a noun (meaning 'a relative'), it changes the article to indicate gender: *el familiar* (male) or *la familiar* (female).
Is 'familiar' an adjective that can be used before or after a noun?
Yes, but placing it before the noun (e.g., *su familiar rostro*) often emphasizes the emotional closeness or intimacy, while placing it after (e.g., *su rostro familiar*) is the standard, neutral way of saying 'known face'.