Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
How to Say Sister-in-Law in Spanish: Cuñada and Family Terms
Cuñada · noun (feminine) · koo-NYAH-dah
Sister-in-law in Spanish is cuñada (koo-NYAH-dah). The word covers both meanings: the sister of your spouse and the wife of your sibling. In formal or legal writing you may encounter hermana política, but cuñada is overwhelmingly the standard term in daily conversation across all Spanish-speaking countries.
Cuñada is koo-NYAH-dah, three syllables with the stress on NYAH. The ñ is the palatal nasal sound unique to Spanish, similar to the ny in canyon.
Mi cuñada viene a cenar esta noche.
My sister-in-law is coming to dinner tonight.
Sister in Law in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for sister in law, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| cuñada | sister in law | koo-NYAH-dah | Default, widely understood |
| hermana política | sister in law | Formal/legal registers |
How Native Speakers Use Cuñada
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Referring to a spouse's sister
Mi cuñada vive en Guadalajara y nos visita cada verano.
My sister-in-law lives in Guadalajara and visits us every summer.
Cuñada here means the speaker's spouse's sister.
Referring to a sibling's wife
La cuñada de Pedro organizó la fiesta sorpresa.
Pedro's sister-in-law organized the surprise party.
In this case cuñada refers to the wife of Pedro's brother.
Possessive with plural
Tengo tres cuñadas y todas son muy simpáticas.
I have three sisters-in-law and they are all very nice.
The plural is cuñadas. In English the plural is sisters-in-law, not sister-in-laws.
Informal affection
¡Cuñada, qué gusto verte!
Sister-in-law, how great to see you!
In casual speech many people address a cuñada directly using the word as a term of address, much like you might say 'sis' in English.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Cuñada
Using masculine form for a woman
Incorrect: Mi cuñado es doctora.
Correct: Mi cuñada es doctora.
Cuñado is the masculine form (brother-in-law). For a female in-law, always use cuñada. The ending -o/-a marks grammatical gender.
Translating word-for-word
Incorrect: Mi hermana en ley.
Correct: Mi cuñada.
Spanish does not translate 'in-law' literally. The suffix -in-law has no Spanish equivalent; instead, dedicated words exist: cuñada, suegra, nuera, etc.
Lock in Sister in Law 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 Cuñada used by native speakers
Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using cuñada in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear Mi cuñada viene a cenar esta noche. while watching someone live the moment, connecting meaning, sound, and rhythm at once.
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Common Questions About Sister in Law in Spanish
- How do you say sister-in-law in Spanish?
- Sister-in-law in Spanish is cuñada (koo-NYAH-dah). It applies whether she is your spouse's sister or your sibling's wife. The masculine counterpart is cuñado (brother-in-law).
- What is the difference between cuñada and hermana política?
- Both mean sister-in-law, but cuñada is the everyday word used in conversation. Hermana política appears mainly in legal documents, formal correspondence, or when someone wants to be very precise about the relationship.
- How do you make cuñada plural?
- The plural is cuñadas: Mis cuñadas llegaron temprano. In English the equivalent is sisters-in-law (not sister-in-laws).