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How to Say "relations" in Spanish

English → Spanish

parientes

/pah-RYEN-tehs//paˈɾjentes/

NounA1kin
Use 'parientes' when referring to family members or relatives connected by blood or marriage.
A colorful storybook illustration showing a multi-generational family group: an older man (grandfather), a woman (mother), and two young children, all standing together and smiling happily.

Examples

Todos mis parientes vinieron a la boda de mi hermana.

All my relatives came to my sister's wedding.

No tengo muchos parientes que vivan en esta ciudad.

I don't have many family members who live in this city.

Ella fue a visitar a sus parientes lejanos en el campo.

She went to visit her distant relations in the countryside.

The Singular Form

This word is the plural of 'pariente' (a relative). If you talk about just one person, use 'un pariente' (for a male relative) or 'una pariente' (for a female relative).

Masculine Plural for Mixed Groups

Even if the group of relatives includes women, the plural noun 'parientes' remains grammatically masculine, which is common in Spanish when referring to mixed-gender groups.

False Friend: Parents

Mistake: “Using 'parientes' when you mean 'parents'.”

Correction: While they look similar to the English word 'parents,' 'parientes' means 'relatives' generally (aunts, cousins, grandparents). The word for 'parents' (mother and father) is 'padres'.

términos

NounB1Interpersonal connections
Use 'términos' to describe the nature of the relationship or connection between people, often in an interpersonal or diplomatic sense.

Examples

A pesar de la pelea, seguimos en buenos términos.

Despite the fight, we remain on good terms.

Family vs. Interpersonal State

The most common mistake is using 'parientes' when you mean the state of a relationship, like being 'on good terms'. Remember, 'parientes' refers to people (family), while 'términos' refers to the quality or state of the connection between them.

Related Translations

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