🎓 Prepared by students from Boğaziçi University

What Is German Family Vocabulary?

Family vocabulary is essential for everyday German conversation. German family member names — like Mutter (mother), Vater (father), Bruder (brother) and Schwester (sister) — form the foundation of personal dialogue and relationship-building.

Short answer

German family vocabulary includes core terms: Mutter (mother), Vater (father), Bruder (brother), Schwester (sister), Großmutter (grandmother), Großvater (grandfather), Tante (aunt), Onkel (uncle), Sohn (son), Tochter (daughter).

Common German Family Members (Häufigkeit)

x: Family member · y: Frequency in daily speech

Step-by-step worked examples

Translate to German: 'My mother and father are both teachers.'

Meine Mutter und mein Vater sind beide Lehrer.
(Possessive adjective 'meine/mein' + family term + verb)

Say in German: 'I have an older brother and a younger sister.'

Ich habe einen älteren Bruder und eine jüngere Schwester.
(Adjective + family noun in accusative)

Complete: 'Das ist meine _____' (That is my sister).

Das ist meine Schwester.
(Feminine noun; possessive 'meine')

Flashcards

Quick quiz

Q1.Which is the German word for 'mother'?

Correct answer: B. Mutter = mother. Vater = father.

Q2.What gender article does 'Bruder' use?

Correct answer: B. Bruder is masculine: der Bruder.

Q3.'Schwester' means…

Correct answer: B. Schwester = sister. Tante = aunt.

Q4.How do you say 'My parents'?

Correct answer: A. Eltern (parents) is plural feminine: meine Eltern.

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Common mistakes

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Confusing Mutter and Vater. — Correct: Mutter = mother (feminine); Vater = father (masculine).

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Using wrong article (ein instead of die/der). — Correct: Learn articles with nouns: die Mutter, der Vater, der Bruder, die Schwester.

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Forgetting to decline possessives. — Correct: Mein Vater, meine Mutter (gender-dependent), meine Eltern (plural).

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Mispronouncing 'Schwester'. — Correct: SHVEH-ster. German 'sch' = English 'sh'.

FAQ

What is the German word for family members?

Family vocabulary includes Mutter (mother), Vater (father), Bruder (brother), Schwester (sister), Großeltern (grandparents).

How do you say 'mother' and 'father' in German?

Mutter = mother (die Mutter); Vater = father (der Vater).

What is a 'Tante' in German?

Tante is 'aunt'. Similarly, Onkel is 'uncle'.

What are 'Geschwister'?

Geschwister means 'siblings' — Brüder und Schwestern together.