Dutch Vocabulary

Family Words in Dutch

Talking about family is one of the first real conversations you'll have in Dutch. Here's the complete family vocabulary, from parents to in-laws.

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30+family words

3generations

in-lawsincluded

easybeginner topic

De familie

Family vocabulary comes up early and often. Learn these and you can introduce and describe everyone close to you.

Close family

Het gezin.

Dutch	English
de moeder / mama	mother / mum
de vader / papa	father / dad
de zus	sister
de broer	brother
de dochter	daughter
de zoon	son
de ouders	parents
het kind / de kinderen	child / children

Extended family

De familie.

Dutch	English
de oma / grootmoeder	grandmother
de opa / grootvader	grandfather
de tante	aunt
de oom	uncle
de neef	cousin / nephew
de nicht	cousin / niece
de schoonmoeder	mother-in-law
de partner	partner

Talking about your family

Useful sentence starters: ‘Ik heb een broer en twee zussen’ (I have a brother and two sisters), ‘Mijn ouders wonen in…’ (my parents live in…), ‘Ben je getrouwd?’ (are you married?). Note that neef and nicht mean both cousin and nephew/niece — context decides.

Talk about your life in Dutch

Dutch Daily helps you describe your family and life through real conversation practice. Free to start.

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Frequently asked questions

How do you say family members in Dutch?

moeder (mother), vader (father), zus (sister), broer (brother), dochter (daughter), zoon (son), oma (grandma), opa (grandpa), tante (aunt), oom (uncle).

What does neef and nicht mean in Dutch?

Both are flexible: 'neef' means cousin or nephew, and 'nicht' means cousin or niece. Context tells you which is meant.

How do you say 'my family' in Dutch?

'Mijn familie' (extended family) or 'mijn gezin' (your immediate household). 'Ik heb een broer' = I have a brother.