Social Relations
A collection of Spanish terms based on social relations including friendships and family ties.
generación
generation
The Spanish word 'generación' translates to 'generation' in English. It is used to describe all of the people born and living around the same time, regarded collectively. It can also refer to the production or creation of something. Similar to its English equivalent, 'generación' can refer to the period of time, typically around 20-30 years, separating two age groups, or, more broadly, different stages in a family lineage or the continual process of creating new ideas, products, etc.
Grupo de amigos
Group of friends
This is the Spanish phrase for 'group of friends'. It refers to several people who are friends and often do things together.
Example sentences with Grupo de amigos →hacer amigos
make friends
The Spanish phrase 'hacer amigos' translates to 'make friends' in English. It is a common phrase used to express the action or process of forming friendships with others. The verb 'hacer' refers to the act of 'making' or 'doing', while 'amigos' is the plural form of 'friend'. Thus, 'hacer amigos' might be typically used in scenarios like joining a club, going to a gathering, or starting at a new school, where one has the opportunity to meet new people and create new friendships.
hacer testamento
make will
The English explanation for the Spanish phrase 'hacer testamento' is 'make will'. This phrase refers to the legal document in which a person stipulates how their assets and personal matters should be handled after their death. This concept involves a degree of planning, as it requires foresight and decision-making. Its usage is common in legal contexts or among lawmakers, lawyers, and professionals involved in estate planning.
hacer una visita
make a visit
'Hacer una visita' is a phrase in Spanish that translates to 'make a visit' in English. It is often used when referring to the action of visiting a place, person, or going somewhere with a specific purpose. It implies the temporary nature of the stay. For instance, 'Voy a hacer una visita a mis abuelos' means 'I am going to visit my grandparents'. Note that the literal word-to-word translation, 'make a visit', might not sound as natural in English as the simple term 'visit' does.
heredar
inherit
The Spanish verb 'heredar' translates to 'inherit' in English. It is used in the sense of receiving property, money, a title, etc., as an heir at the death of the previous holder. This can be related to both a legal context or a biological one, where it may indicate the acquisition of genetic features. Just like in English, this verb can also be used in a metaphorical sense, for instance, inheriting a situation or a problem.
hermano
brother
The Spanish word 'hermano' is used in exactly the same context as the English word 'brother'. It is used to refer to a male sibling. Just like in English, the word can also be used in a broader sense to refer to any male in a similar generational level within a group, especially in religious or fraternal contexts.
Example sentences with hermano →hija
daughter
The Spanish word 'hija' translates to 'daughter' in English. It is used to refer to a person's female child. The masculine form is 'hijo', meaning son. 'Hija' can also be used in possessive contexts, like 'su hija' meaning 'his/her daughter'.
Example sentences with hija →hijo
son
In Spanish, the word 'hijo' translates to 'son' in English. It refers to a person's male offspring. This term is used in a variety of contexts and is a central concept in family-related terminology. Embedded in many other expressions, 'hijo' is often used as a term of endearment or in grammatical structures to signify possession.
hijo único
only child
The Spanish phrase 'hijo único' directly translates to 'only child' in English. It is used for describing a person who has no siblings. In this phrase, 'hijo' means 'son' or 'child' and 'único' means 'only' or 'unique'. So, 'hijo único' can also refer to 'unique child', but it is commonly understood as 'only child'.
íntimo amigo
intimate friend
The term 'íntimo amigo' in Spanish is translated into English as 'intimate friend'. It is used to refer to a very close friend with whom one shares personal thoughts, feelings, and experiences. They are friends who are trusted and thought highly of, so the relationship is very close and personal. In English, similar phrases may be used such as 'close friend', 'good friend', or 'trusted friend' for example. The term does not necessarily imply a romantic or physical intimacy, but rather it speaks to the depth and strength of the friendship.
invitado
guest
The term 'invitado' is a Spanish word which translates to 'guest' in English. It is primarily used to refer to someone who is welcomed or invited to participate in a specific occasion or location. Examples include being invited to a party, social gathering, or an event. The 'invitado' could either be known or unknown to the hosts, and the function or duration of their stay would depend on the specific circumstance. Another context in which it is used is in the hospitality sector to describe someone staying or dining in a hotel or restaurant. In general, an 'invitado' is an individual who is included in an activity or event by someone else's invitation.
invitar
invite
The Spanish word 'invitar' translates to 'invite' in English. It is a verb that is used in the context of asking someone to attend an event, participate in an activity, or to join in something. Example usages include 'invitar a un amigo a una fiesta' which translates to 'invite a friend to a party', or 'voy a invitar a mis padres a cenar' meaning 'I am going to invite my parents to dinner'. The word 'invitar' is also used in certain phrases or expressions, like 'te invito a pensar' which in English becomes 'I invite you to think'.
ir de visita
go visit
The Spanish phrase 'ir de visita' translates to 'go visit' in English. It is used when someone intends to visit a place or a person for a short period of time. It can be any location - a friend's house, a family member's home, a place of interest, or even a city or country. It is a neutral phrase and can be used in both formal and informal situations. In terms of structure, 'ir' means 'to go', 'de' is a preposition often translating as 'of' or 'from', and 'visita' means 'visit'. So, as a whole, 'ir de visita' indeed refers to the action of going for a visit.
jefe
Chief
The Spanish word 'jefe' translates to 'chief' in English. It is used in professional or organizational contexts to refer to a person who is in charge or leading a group, project, or organization. This could be a job title or a general term for a person in a position of authority.
ligar
flirt
The Spanish word 'ligar' translates to 'flirt' in English. It is a verb often used to describe the playful behavior people demonstrate to show fondness or romantic interest towards one another. It could range from playful banter, flattering compliments, to body language often with a lighter and endearing tone. It's a common term in the context of romance and dating in Spanish conversation.
ligarse a alguien
Linking to someone
The Spanish phrase 'ligarse a alguien' is often used in a romantic or flirty context. Despite its literal translation in English being 'linking to someone', it's not typically used in that way. More commonly, this phrase is used to imply that someone is trying to attract, or 'pick up', another person romantically. For example, you might use this phrase when talking about someone trying to get a date at a bar or party. It's also used at times to refer to the concept of 'making a pass' at someone.
llevar [número cardinal] años (viviendo en pareja
[ cardinal number] years (living as a couple
[ cardinal number] years (living as a couple. 'Llevar [número cardinal] años (viviendo en pareja' is a phrase used in Spanish to denote the amount of time a couple has been living together. The cardinal number is placed in the brackets to specify the duration in years. It is a way of expressing the longevity of a couple's cohabitation.
llevar [número cardinal] años (viviendo juntos
to carry [ cardinal number] years (living together
The Spanish phrase 'llevar [número cardinal] años (viviendo juntos)' directly translates to 'to carry [cardinal number] years (living together).' It's commonly used to express the length of time a couple (or any group of people) have been living together. In practical use, the cardinal number is replaced with the number of years. For example, 'llevar tres años viviendo juntos' means 'to have been living together for three years.'
llevar [número cardinal] años conviviendo) en pareja
[ cardinal number] years living together) as a couple
[cardinal number] years living together) as a couple
llevar [número cardinal] años conviviendo) juntos
[ cardinal number] years living together
[Cardinal number] years living together
llevarse bien
get along.
The Spanish phrase 'llevarse bien' translates to 'get along' in English. It's often used to describe relationships between people. For example, if two people 'se llevan bien', it means they get along well together. The verb 'llevarse' indicates the action of carrying or taking, and 'bien' translates to well. Hence, 'llevarse bien' metaphorically means carrying or taking things well with someone, which equates to having a good relationship or getting along in English.
llevarse mal
get hurt.
The Spanish phrase 'llevarse mal' does not mean 'get hurt' in English. In fact, this phrase is better translated as 'to get along poorly'. It is often used to describe social relationships, particularly when there are disagreements or conflicts. For example, you may use 'llevarse mal' to describe two friends who are constantly arguing and have a strained relationship.
Los hijos
The children
In Spanish, 'los hijos' means 'the children', and it represents any person who is under the age of adulthood. A child commonly refers to a son or daughter at any age. Children are considered great blessings in Spanish cultures.
Example sentences with Los hijos →Los tíos
The aunts and uncles
'Los tíos' directly translates to 'the aunts and uncles' in English. Spanish cultures maintain a strong emphasis on the extended family, often including aunts and uncles in family gatherings and important occasions.
Example sentences with Los tíos →madrastra
stepmother
The word 'madrastra' is a noun in Spanish language, used to represent a female figure who is married to one's father following the death or divorce of the latter's previous partner. In English, this word is translated as 'stepmother'. This term does not necessarily mean that the 'madrastra' has legal obligations or relationship by blood with the child, but rather, she is a part of the child's life due to her relationship with the child's father.
madre
mother
The Spanish word for 'mother' is 'madre'. It is generally used to refer to one's female parent. Similar to its usage in English, 'madre' can also be used in a broader sense to refer to a woman who has given birth or who has responsibility for the care of children. It is commonly used in various phrases and idioms.
Example sentences with madre →madre de alquiler
surrogate mother
The term 'madre de alquiler' is a Spanish term which, when translated to English, means 'surrogate mother'. In the context of family and relationships, a 'madre de alquiler' is a woman who agrees, usually by contract and for a fee, to bear a child for another person or persons, who will become the child's legal parents after the birth. This method is often used as an option for people who are unable to bear children themselves.
madre soltera
single mother
The Spanish phrase 'madre soltera' translates to 'single mother' in English. It's used to describe a woman who has a child or children and is not living with the child's or children's father. This could be due to various circumstances such as separation, divorce, death or by personal choice. The phrase recognizes the woman as the sole parent taking responsibility for raising her child or children.
madrina
Madrina
The Spanish word 'madrina' translates to 'godmother' in English. A godmother is a female chosen by the parents of a child to assist in the child's religious education and personal development. This term is widely used in various cultural and religious ceremonies globally. Its male equivalent is 'padrino', which means 'godfather' in English.