familiar
/fah-mee-lee-AHR/
family (adjective, used when modifying a noun)
Depicting something related to the family or household.
familiar(Adjective)
family (adjective, used when modifying a noun)
?related to one's family or household
domestic
?related to home life
📝 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.
💡 Grammar Points
Adjective Ending
Even though familiar is an adjective, it always ends in '-r' in the singular, regardless of whether the noun it describes is masculine or feminine (e.g., el árbol familiar and la cena familiar).
⭐ Usage Tips
Translate to English
When used this way, familiar usually translates to the English noun 'family' acting as a modifier (like 'family dinner' or 'family atmosphere').
Depicting something that is known or recognized.
familiar(Adjective)
familiar
?known, recognized
,intimate
?close or personal
informal
?referring to manner or style
📝 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.
💡 Grammar Points
Feeling Familiar
To say something feels familiar, Spanish often uses the verb resultar: 'Esto me resulta familiar' (This turns out/seems familiar to me).
Illustrating a relative, or a person in your family.
familiar(Noun)
relative
?a person in your family
,family member
?a member of the household
kin
?group of relatives
📝 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.
💡 Grammar Points
Gender Changes
When used as a noun, familiar refers to a person. It changes based on the person's gender: el familiar (male relative) and la familiar (female relative).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using 'Familia' instead of 'Familiar'
Mistake: "Mis familiares es muy grande. (My family members are very large.)"
Correction: Mi familia es muy grande. (My family is very large.) OR Mis familiares son muchos. (My relatives are numerous.) *Familiar* refers to individuals, *familia* refers to the group.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: familiar
Question 1 of 2
¿Cuál de las siguientes frases usa 'familiar' como un sustantivo (una persona)?
📚 More Resources
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'.