How Do You Say Nieces And Nephews In Spanish?

The most natural way to say “nieces and nephews” in Spanish is the single word “sobrinos,” which can refer to a group of nephews or a mixed group of nieces and nephews.

You probably already know phrases like “tía” for aunt or “primo” for cousin. But then you introduce your sisters’ kids to a Spanish-speaking friend, and you realize English makes you say four whole words: “nieces and nephews.”

Spanish handles this a lot more efficiently. The answer is one short word — “sobrinos” — and once you understand how it works, you’ll see the logic is actually simpler than what you’re used to.

The Single Word That Covers Both

“Sobrinos” is the plural form of “sobrino” (nephew). In Spanish grammar, the masculine plural is the default for any group that includes at least one male member. So if you have two nieces and one nephew, you still say “mis sobrinos.”

This is the same pattern you see with “hijos” (children, literally “sons”) or “hermanos” (siblings, literally “brothers”). The masculine plural covers mixed groups without needing a separate phrase.

English has no equivalent single word that’s commonly used. The term “nibling” was coined in the early 1950s as a gender-neutral option, but you’d rarely hear it in casual conversation. Spanish speakers simply use “sobrinos” and move on.

Why The Four-Word Habit Sticks

English speakers learning Spanish often feel compelled to translate “nieces and nephews” word-for-word. It makes sense — English separates genders explicitly in that phrase. But Spanish doesn’t require the same structure.

Here’s what changes when you switch to the Spanish mindset:

• Efficiency over precision: “Sobrinos” saves four syllables and still clearly means your siblings’ kids. You don’t need to specify gender unless the context demands it.
• Masculine default logic: Many new speakers worry that using the masculine form erases the nieces. In practice, Spanish speakers understand “sobrinos” includes everyone. The feminine-only form “sobrinas” would only be used for an all-female group.
• Possessive agreement: “My nieces and nephews” simply becomes “mis sobrinos.” The possessive “mis” works for any plural, masculine or feminine, so there’s nothing extra to learn.
• No regional differences: Whether you’re in Mexico, Spain, or Argentina, “sobrinos” is the standard. The meaning does not change across dialects.
• Context clarifies everything: If you say “tengo tres sobrinos,” Spanish speakers assume a mixed group unless you specify otherwise. You’ll sound natural immediately.

Once you accept that Spanish prioritizes brevity over explicit gender in group terms, the habit of reaching for “sobrinos” instead of a longer phrase clicks naturally.

Singular Forms: Sobrino And Sobrina

When you need to talk about just one child of your sibling, the singular forms are simple. “Sobrino” means nephew, and “sobrina” means niece. The endings -o and -a are the standard masculine and feminine markers you see across Spanish family vocabulary.

Memrise breaks down these singular forms in its sobrino and sobrina guide, which is useful if you’re drilling vocabulary for conversation. The pronunciation is straightforward: so-BREE-no and so-BREE-nah.

The last row, “sobrino y sobrina,” is the closest Spanish gets to the English phrase “niece and nephew.” It sounds clunky for a group, but it’s correct when you’re talking about exactly one of each.

Extended Family: Second Nieces And Cousins’ Kids

Spanish keeps the “sobrino” root for extended family relationships too, but the numbering changes. A cousin’s child is a “sobrino segundo” (second nephew/niece), not a “first cousin once removed” like in English.

1. Sobrino segundo: This is your cousin’s child. The “segundo” (second) indicates the relationship is one step further removed than a direct sibling’s child.
2. Sobrino tercero: This is your second cousin’s child — another step removed. You’ll hear “tercero” (third) for this level.
3. Primo segundo: This is your second cousin, not to be confused with “sobrino segundo.” The root changes from “sobrino” to “primo” when you’re talking about a cousin relationship.
4. Gender-neutral “sobrine”: Some Spanish speakers, particularly in Argentina, use the -e ending for a non-binary nibling. This proposal from the Federación Argentina is not universal and is still emerging rather than standard.
5. Using “nibling” in English: If you’re looking for an English equivalent to “sobrinos,” Merriam-Webster notes “nibling” does exist but is rarely used outside linguistic discussions.

These extended forms aren’t essential for everyday conversation, but they’re helpful if your family tree gets complicated around the holidays.

The Grammar Rule Behind Sobrinos

The reason “sobrinos” works for both genders comes down to one rule: in Spanish, the masculine plural is the inclusive default. This applies to all nouns that have gendered forms, not just family terms.

SpanishDict explains that the plural “sobrinos” covers any group with at least one nephew in its sobrinos translation guide. If the group is all nieces, use “sobrinas” — but that’s an edge case.

This table shows the pattern visually. As long as at least one male is in the group, the masculine plural form is the correct choice. English speakers who remember the masculine default from words like “amigos” (friends, mixed or all-male) will find this familiar.

The Bottom Line

If you’re asking “how do you say nieces and nephews in Spanish,” the answer is “sobrinos” — one word instead of four. Use “sobrino” for a nephew, “sobrina” for a niece, and remember that the masculine plural covers mixed groups naturally. You don’t need a separate word for “niblings” like English does.

A certified DELE tutor or a conversation group focused on Latin American Spanish can help you practice these family terms in real dialogue, especially if you’re preparing for a trip to visit Spanish-speaking relatives.