Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
What Does Primo Mean in English?
Primo · noun · PREE-moh
The Spanish word 'primo' means 'cousin' in English when referring to a male cousin, while 'prima' is used for a female cousin. Primos play an important role in Hispanic family life, where extended family bonds are typically very close. The word can also colloquially mean 'gullible person' in some regions, but the family meaning is by far the most common.
Primo is pronounced PREE-moh. The stress falls on the first syllable 'pri.' The feminine form prima is pronounced PREE-mah.
Mi primo vive en otra ciudad pero nos visitamos en verano.
My cousin lives in another city but we visit each other in summer.
Primo (Cousin) in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for primo (cousin), with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| primo | primo (cousin) | PREE-moh | Default, widely understood |
| prima | primo (cousin) | feminine form for a female cousin |
How Native Speakers Use Primo
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Introducing family
Te presento a mi primo Carlos.
Let me introduce you to my cousin Carlos.
Introducing a male cousin at a gathering.
Family reunion
Todos mis primos se reunieron para la boda.
All my cousins got together for the wedding.
Describing a large family event.
Female cousin
Mi prima es doctora en un hospital muy importante.
My cousin is a doctor at a very important hospital.
Talking about a female cousin's profession.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Primo
Not changing gender
Incorrect: Mi primo Ana vino a visitarnos.
Correct: Mi prima Ana vino a visitarnos.
For a female cousin, the feminine form 'prima' must be used — 'primo' is exclusively for males.
Confusing primo with hermano
Incorrect: Mi primo y yo tenemos los mismos padres.
Correct: Mi hermano y yo tenemos los mismos padres.
If you share the same parents, the word is 'hermano' (brother), not 'primo' (cousin) — cousins share aunts and uncles, not parents.
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Common Questions About Primo (Cousin) in Spanish
- Does primo mean anything other than cousin?
- In colloquial Spanish in some regions, calling someone 'primo' can imply they are naive or easily fooled, but in standard usage and family contexts, it always means cousin.
- How do you say 'second cousin' in Spanish?
- A second cousin is 'primo segundo' (male) or 'prima segunda' (female), following the pattern of adding the ordinal number after the word primo/prima.
- What is the plural of primo?
- The plural is 'primos,' which can refer to a group of male cousins or a mixed-gender group of cousins, while 'primas' refers to an all-female group.