Spanish word

prima

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈpɾima/

Meaning

  • feminine nouncousin

Example

¿Dónde vive tu prima?

Where does your cousin live?

Illustration for prima (cousin)

More examples

Mi prima vive en Madrid.

My cousin lives in Madrid.

Core concept

Same-generation female blood relative, usually the daughter of a parent's brother or sister.

Common phrases

  • mi prima

    my cousin

  • mis primas

    my cousins

Similar words

primo: Male same-generation cousin, typically the son of a parent's brother or sister.
pariente: Kin connected through blood or marriage, without specifying closeness.
sobrina: Female child of a sibling; a niece generally younger than the relative.

Definition in Spanish

Mujer de la misma generación que tú que tiene parentesco por sangre; normalmente la hija de un hermano o una hermana de uno de tus padres.

Word origin

The family sense of prima comes from Latin proximus 'nearest' via the Romance languages, while the insurance sense comes independently from Latin praemium through Old French.

Usage tips

  • In the plural, mis primos can refer to a mixed group of cousins, so a phrase like mis primas specifically signals only female cousins.

Other meanings

  • insurance premiumnoun

Word lists with this word