nieto
NYEH-toh
/ˈnje.to/
📝 In Action
Mi abuelo me dio un regalo. Soy su nieto favorito.
A1My grandfather gave me a gift. I am his favorite grandson.
Mis padres tienen tres nietos y una nieta.
A2My parents have three grandsons and one granddaughter.
Los nietos de Don Ricardo siempre visitan la casa en verano.
A2Don Ricardo's grandchildren always visit the house in the summer.
💡 Grammar Points
Gender Pairing
In Spanish, family words often change based on gender. 'Nieto' is the male form (grandson), and 'nieta' is the female form (granddaughter).
The Plural 'Nietos'
When you use the plural 'nietos,' it usually means 'grandchildren' in general, even if the group includes girls ('nietas').
❌ Common Pitfalls
Confusing Gender
Mistake: “Using 'nieto' to refer to a girl.”
Correction: Always use 'nieta' for a girl and 'nieto' for a boy. The word ending tells you the gender.
⭐ Usage Tips
Talking about Lineage
In formal or historical contexts, 'nietos' (plural) can sometimes be used simply to mean 'descendants,' emphasizing the connection to past generations.
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: nieto
Question 1 of 2
If María is the daughter of Juan, and Pablo is the son of María, what is Pablo to Juan?
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'nieto' ever used to mean 'nephew' in modern Spanish?
No. While the historical root of 'nieto' meant both 'grandson' and 'nephew,' modern Spanish strictly uses 'sobrino' for nephew and 'nieto' for grandson.
How do I say 'great-grandson'?
You add 'bis-' to the word: 'bisnieto'. This prefix is used for relationships two steps removed, like 'bisabuelo' (great-grandfather).