Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
How to Say Cousin in Spanish: Primo / Prima
Primo / Prima · noun · PREE-moh (male) / PREE-mah (female)
In Spanish, the word for 'cousin' depends on gender: 'primo' refers to a male cousin and 'prima' to a female cousin. When talking about cousins as a group that includes at least one male, the masculine plural 'primos' is used. A first cousin is called 'primo hermano' or 'prima hermana,' while a second cousin is 'primo segundo' or 'prima segunda.' The word 'primo' also has a colloquial meaning in Spain — it can mean 'sucker' or 'gullible person,' so context matters.
Primo is pronounced PREE-moh, with the stress on the first syllable. The 'i' sounds like the 'ee' in 'see,' and the 'o' is a short, pure vowel. Prima follows the same pattern: PREE-mah. Both words have two syllables.
Mi primo vive en Barcelona y nos visitará en verano.
My cousin lives in Barcelona and will visit us in the summer.
Cousin in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for cousin, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| primo / prima | cousin | PREE-moh (male) / PREE-mah (female) | Default, widely understood |
| primo hermano / prima hermana | cousin | first cousin, used across all regions |
How Native Speakers Use Primo / Prima
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Introducing a cousin
Te presento a mi prima María; ella es doctora.
Let me introduce you to my cousin María; she is a doctor.
Use 'prima' for a female cousin. The possessive 'mi' does not change for gender.
Group of cousins
Todos mis primos se reunieron para la cena de Navidad.
All my cousins got together for the Christmas dinner.
The masculine plural 'primos' covers a mixed-gender group. If all cousins are female, you would say 'primas.'
Specifying first cousin
Ella no es mi prima lejana, es mi prima hermana.
She is not my distant cousin; she is my first cousin.
'Prima hermana' literally means 'sister cousin' and is how Spanish specifies a first cousin. This is more common in formal or clarifying contexts.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Primo / Prima
Forgetting gender agreement
Incorrect: Mi primo Ana viene mañana.
Correct: Mi prima Ana viene mañana.
Since Ana is a female name, you must use the feminine form 'prima,' not the masculine 'primo.' Spanish family nouns always match the gender of the person they describe.
Confusing 'primo' with 'primary'
Incorrect: Este es el primo problema que debemos resolver.
Correct: Este es el primer problema que debemos resolver.
'Primo' means 'cousin,' not 'primary' or 'first.' The adjective for 'first' is 'primer' (before a masculine singular noun) or 'primero/primera.' This false-cognate confusion comes from the shared Latin root.
Lock in Cousin Vocabulary with the Parrot Method
Why word lists alone don't stick
Memorizing a translation feels productive, but most learners forget 70% of what they studied within 48 hours. Vocabulary needs spaced repetition AND real-world exposure to transfer to long-term memory.
See Primo / Prima used by native speakers
Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using primo / prima in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear Mi primo vive en Barcelona y nos visitará en verano. while watching someone live the moment, connecting meaning, sound, and rhythm at once.
Save, review, repeat, stay consistent
Tap any word to save it. Parrot's spaced-repetition system surfaces it right before you'd forget, no manual flashcard creation. The watch, parrot back, save, review cycle turns recognition into fluency at 2.7x the speed of traditional study.
Common Questions About Cousin in Spanish
- How do you say 'cousins' in Spanish when the group is mixed gender?
- Use 'primos' for a group of cousins that includes at least one male. If all cousins in the group are female, use 'primas.' This follows the standard Spanish rule for gendered plurals.
- What does 'primo hermano' mean?
- 'Primo hermano' (or 'prima hermana' for a female) means 'first cousin.' It literally translates as 'brother cousin' and specifies that the person is a direct cousin — the child of your parent's sibling. Second cousin is 'primo segundo.'
- Does 'primo' have any slang meanings?
- Yes, in Spain 'primo' is colloquial slang for a gullible person or a 'sucker.' The expression 'hacer el primo' means 'to be taken for a fool.' This usage is mainly found in Spain and is not common in Latin America.