How To Talk About Your Family In Greek (Essential Terms)

Family (η οικογένεια) is one of the most important topics of conversation in Greek culture.

When learning to speak Greek, knowing the words for family members is essential.

In my years of learning Greek and other languages, I’ve found that the best way to learn vocabulary is not by memorizing long lists, but by learning words in “chunks” or phrases. This guide will give you the core vocabulary, but I’ll also show you how to use these words in simple, everyday sentences.

Read on for essential Greek vocabulary for family.

Immediate family (η άμεση οικογένεια)

Let’s start with the people closest to you.

The Greek word for family is οικογένεια (oikogéneia).

You might recognize the first part, oiko-, from English words like “economy” or “ecology”.

It comes from the Ancient Greek word οἶκος (oîkos), which means “house” or “home”.

Here are the words for your immediate family members.

Notice the little words ο, η, το before the noun. These are articles, like “the” in English, and they tell you the gender of the noun (masculine, feminine, or neuter).

A quick note for those interested in older forms of Greek: the formal words μητέρα and πατέρας are very close to their Ancient and Koine Greek ancestors, μήτηρ (mētēr) and πατήρ (patēr).

You’ll see these older forms when reading the New Testament in its original Koine Greek.

Extended family (η ευρύτερη οικογένεια)

Now let’s move on to grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Unlike English, Greek has different words for male and female cousins.

The general plural word for “cousins” is τα ξαδέρφια (ta xadérfia).

Family by marriage (συγγενείς εξ αγχιστείας)

Here are the most common terms for your in-laws and spouse.

Putting it all together: example sentences

Now for the most important part: using these words.

Let’s look at some simple sentence chunks. Notice the word μου (mou) after the nouns. This is the easiest way to say “my” in Greek.

Έχω έναν αδερφό.

Écho énan aderfó.

I have a brother.

Η μητέρα μου λέγεται Ελένη.

I mitéra mou légetai Eléni.

My mother's name is Eleni.

Here’s how you might ask someone about their family.

Έχεις αδέρφια;

Écheis adérfia?

Do you have siblings?

Ναι, έχω μία αδερφή και δύο αδερφούς.

Nai, écho mía aderfí kai dýo aderfoús.

Yes, I have one sister and two brothers.

And here’s how to introduce a family member.

Από ‘δώ ο πατέρας μου, ο Νίκος.

Apó 'dó o patéras mou, o Níkos.

This is my father, Nikos.

Και από ‘δώ η γιαγιά μου.

Kai apó 'dó i giagiá mou.

And this is my grandmother.

Ο θείος μου μένει στη Θεσσαλονίκη.

O theíos mou ménei sti Thessaloníki.

My uncle lives in Thessaloniki.

Learning vocabulary for family is key to having more meaningful conversations in Greek.

My advice is to not just memorize tables of words.

Instead, take a few words and build simple sentences about your own family. Practise them with your Greek teacher or italki conversation partner. This “chunking” method - learning words as part of a phrase - will help you remember them much more effectively.

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