Social Relations
A collection of Spanish terms based on social relations including friendships and family ties.
malcriar a los hijos
spoil the children
The phrase 'malcriar a los hijos' in Spanish translates to 'spoil the children' in English. It typically refers to the action where parents excessively give in to their children's desires and needs, often resulting in a lack of discipline or respect. This phrase is used to express the negative consequence of overindulging or overprotecting children, leading to their impaired character development or social skills.
mamá
mom
The Spanish word 'mamá' translates to the English word 'mom'. It is a common and informal term used by people, especially children, to address or refer to their mother. It is similar in usage to other words such as 'mother' or 'mum' in English. The use of 'mamá' tends to connote a sense of warmth, familiarity, and affection. This word is part of standard Spanish vocabulary and is widely used in all Spanish speaking countries.
manipular a los hijos
manipulate children
The Spanish phrase 'manipular a los hijos' translates to 'manipulate children' in English. This phrase is generally used in the context of manipulating someone's emotions or actions, specifically children's. In a broader sense, it can refer to any form of control or misuse of authority to influence a child's behaviours or thoughts.
mantener lazos (de amistad)
to maintain bonds (of friendship)
The phrase 'mantener lazos (de amistad)' in Spanish translates to 'to maintain bonds (of friendship)' in English. It is often used to express the idea of keeping a strong connection or relationship with friends, despite time, distance, or other obstacles. The verb 'mantener' translates to 'maintain' and 'lazos de amistad' translates to 'bonds of friendship', thus when combined, they form this phrase. This is a common phrase used in both casual and formal contexts, and understanding it can enhance your conversational and written Spanish.
mantener una familia
maintain a family
The Spanish phrase 'mantener una familia' translates into English as 'maintain a family'. This phrase could be used in various circumstances where one needs to express the concept of bearing the responsibility of taking care of the needs and wants of a family, maintaining them financially, emotionally, physically and socially. Depending on the context, it could be related to providing food, shelter, health, education, and love among other needs of a family.
mantener una relación
maintain a relationship
The Spanish phrase 'mantener una relación' translates to 'maintain a relationship' in English. This could mean to keep a relationship ongoing or in good standing. From a linguistics perspective, 'mantener' is a verb and means 'to keep' or 'to maintain', 'una' is an indefinite article means 'a', and 'relación' is a noun means 'relationship'. When combined, they are used to express the continuing effort one gives to keep a relationship strong or thriving.
mantener una relación cordial
maintain a cordial relationship
The Spanish phrase 'mantener una relación cordial' translates to 'maintain a cordial relationship' in English. It's often used in contexts where two or more parties are expected to interact politely and respectfully on a continual basis, despite any potential conflict or difference of opinion. The usage of this phrase implies a balance and ongoing effort in the relationship between the involved individuals, groups, or entities.
mantener una relación de amor-odio
maintain a love-odium relationship
The Spanish phrase 'mantener una relación de amor-odio' translates to 'maintain a love-odium relationship' in English. In essence, it refers to a relationship where feelings of love and hate alternate or exist simultaneously. This complex emotional state is often seen in intense relationships, where people can highly appreciate each other one moment and highly resent each other the next.
mantener una relación de convivencia
maintain a relationship of coexistence
The Spanish sentence 'mantener una relación de convivencia' translates to 'maintain a relationship of coexistence' in English. This phrase means to sustain a relationship where two or more individuals or groups are living and interacting together in harmony, shared spaces or a community, respecting each other's existence and differences. This could be used in a variety of contexts such as interpersonal relationships, societal relationships, or even international relations.
mantener una relación de dependencia
maintain a dependency ratio
The phrase 'mantener una relación de dependencia' in Spanish is translated to 'maintain a dependency ratio' in English. This phrase is symbolic of any kind of relationship, communication, function, etc., where one or more elements depend on others for their state or performance. It is frequently used in economic and social contexts where it describes a ratio that compares the number of dependents (children or elders who aren't in the workforce) to the number of working-age people. The higher the dependency ratio, the greater number of people who depend on the working class for sustenance.
mantener una relación estable
maintain a stable relationship
The Spanish phrase 'mantener una relación estable' translates to 'maintain a stable relationship' in English. This phrase is commonly used in situations where there is a need to express the concept of keeping a relationship (may it be romantic, platonic, or professional) consistent, harmonious, and well-balanced over time. It emphasizes the continual effort and contribution required to ensure the overall health and longevity of a relationship.
mantener una relación fluida
maintain a fluid relationship
The Spanish phrase 'mantener una relación fluida' translates to 'maintain a fluid relationship' in English. The phrase can be used in a variety of contexts but is most commonly used to discuss the importance of steady and open communication in a relationship, which helps to prevent misunderstandings and disagreements from escalating into more serious conflicts.
maternidad
maternity
The Spanish word 'maternidad' translates to 'maternity' in English. It denotes the period during pregnancy and shortly after childbirth. It's a term largely used in the contexts of healthcare, such as 'maternity ward' or 'maternity leave', where a woman takes off from work for the birth or adoption of a child. It can also reflect abstract concepts relating to motherhood.
Mejor amigo
Best friend
This is the Spanish phrase for 'best friend'. It refers to a friend who someone regards as their closest and dearest friend.
Example sentences with Mejor amigo →mellizos
twins
The Spanish word 'mellizos' translates to 'twins' in English. This refers to two children birthed by the same mother in the same pregnancy who share a birthday. The term 'mellizos' is commonly used in the Spanish language when referring to a set of twins, similar to the English usage of the term. Although 'mellizos' often refers to fraternal (non-identical) twins, it can also be used broadly to refer to any set of twins.
mezclarse con alguien
mixing with someone
The Spanish phrase 'mezclarse con alguien' translates to 'mixing with someone' in English. It can refer to becoming involved with a person or group, blending in with a crowd, or simply interacting with others. This can be in a physical, social, or metaphorical context. The phrase invokes a sense of integration or combination, suggesting a seamless joining or blending together.
miembro
member
In Spanish, 'miembro' is used to refer to a person who is part of a group, community, team or organization. Just like in English, it can apply to any context, whether it's a family member, a team member, or a member of a specific organization or club.
Example sentences with miembro →mujer
woman
The Spanish word for woman is 'mujer'. It is a noun used to refer to an adult human female. It can be used in different contexts just like its English counterpart, for example to denote gender, to refer to a specific female, in expressions etc. Like all Spanish nouns, 'mujer' has a grammatical gender and it is feminine.
Example sentences with mujer →nieto
grandson
The word 'nieto' is a noun in Spanish, often used in familial contexts. It translates to 'grandson' in English. 'Nieto' refers to a child's male offspring, especially the son of one’s son or daughter. It is widely applicable in different scenarios in Spanish speaking cultures and families.
niño adoptado
adopted child
The Spanish phrase 'niño adoptado' translates to 'adopted child' in English. It consists of two words 'niño', which means child, and 'adoptado', which means adopted. Therefore, when combined, they mean a child who has been legally taken by someone other than their biological parents to be permanently raised as his or her own child. This term reflects a legal process that gives new parent(s) the same rights and obligations as a child's biological parents.
niño huérfano
orphaned child
The Spanish phrase 'niño huérfano' translates directly to 'orphaned child' in English. This phrase can be broken down into two parts: 'niño' meaning 'child' and 'huérfano' meaning 'orphaned'. It refers to a child who has lost both parents and consequently lacks parental care, often as a result of death of parents. The context in which 'niño huérfano' is used can vary, but it is generally used to describe such unfortunate situations.
niño probeta
test tube child
The Spanish term 'niño probeta' translates to 'test tube child' in English. This phrase is often used to refer to children conceived through in vitro fertilization, a process in which an egg is combined with a sperm outside the body, in a lab. Once the egg is fertilized, it is inserted into a woman's uterus. This term may be used colloquially and not necessarily in a scientific context.
novio
boyfriend
The Spanish word 'novio' translates to 'boyfriend' in English. It is used in a romantic context to refer to a person's male partner. In a broader and more traditional context, 'novio' can also refer to 'fiancé', a man that a person is engaged to be married to.
obedecer a los padres
obeying parents
The Spanish phrase 'obedecer a los padres' translates to 'obeying parents' in English. It is an action or behavior that children are expected to demonstrate towards their parents, meaning to follow the rules or commands that the parents give. This could include tasks like doing homework, cleaning their rooms, or going to bed at a specified time. Notably, in English, we generally use the verb to 'obey' for anyone we're expected to follow rules or orders from, not just parents.
oponerse a los padres
opposing parents
The Spanish phrase 'oponerse a los padres' translates to 'opposing parents' in English. It is typically used in contexts where children or adolescents go against the decisions, instructions or wishes of their parents. This can be for various reasons such as rebellion, stages of growth and development, or disagreements. It is a common phrase in familial and educational contexts.
padrastro
stepfather
The Spanish word 'padrastro' translates to 'stepfather' in English. It is used to refer to a man who is married to one's mother but is not one's biological father. In a broader sense, the term can also describe a man who plays a paternal role in a person's life, regardless of marital status or biological relation.
padre
father
The Spanish word for 'father' is 'padre'. It is often used to address one's own father in a formal manner. Moreover, it can also be utilized in titles, such as 'Padre Pio'. An everyday example of its utilization could be 'Mi padre es ingeniero', which means 'My father is an engineer'.
Example sentences with padre →padre/hijo adoptivo
adoptive father/son
The phrase 'padre/hijo adoptivo' in Spanish translates to 'adoptive father/son' in English. This is used to describe a relationship where a person becomes the legal guardian of a child, even though they are not the child's biological parent. This relationship is legally binding and provides the adoptive parent with the responsibilities and rights of a biological parent. Similarly, the child gains the legal rights and privileges of a biological child towards the adoptive parent.
padres
parents
The Spanish word 'padres' translates to 'parents' in English. This term refers to a child's mother and father. In broader context, it can also refer to any entities or people that give birth or are considered sources or creators. The use of this word is similar in both Spanish and English, often utilized in familial or relational contexts.
Example sentences with padres →padrino
Godfather
The Spanish word 'padrino' translates to 'godfather' in English. In a traditional Christian setting, the 'godfather' is a person who sponsors a child's baptism and then takes an interest in the child's upbringing and personal development, particularly in regard to matters of faith and morality. In a broader cultural context, 'godfather' can also refer to a man who is influential or pioneering in a certain field or a man who is a guiding, mentor-like figure in someone's life. It can be used in both religious and secular contexts.