Learning a new language often involves getting to grips with a wide range of vocabulary, and this is especially true of terms related to family and relationships. In Hebrew, family ties are particularly important and they carry a lot of cultural significance. Below, you’ll find a list of Hebrew terms for family and relationships along with their definitions and examples to help you use them accurately in conversation.

משפחה (mishpacha) – Family
This is the general term for ‘family’ in Hebrew. It can include immediate family as well as extended family.
אנחנו אוהבים לאכול ארוחות עם המשפחה בשבת.
(We love to have meals with the family on Shabbat.)

אבא (aba) – Father
This is the informal and affectionate term for ‘father’ in Hebrew.
האבא שלי מלמד אותי איך לתקן אופניים.
(My father is teaching me how to fix bicycles.)

אמא (ima) – Mother
The counterpart to ‘aba,’ ‘ima’ is the informal and affectionate term for ‘mother.’
האמא שלי הכינה עוגת שוקולד מעולה ליום ההולדת שלי.
(My mother made an excellent chocolate cake for my birthday.)

אח (ach) – Brother
The term for a male sibling in Hebrew.
האח שלי עוזר לי עם שיעורי הבית.
(My brother helps me with my homework.)

אחות (achot) – Sister
This word refers to a female sibling.
אחותי קנתה לי מתנה יפה מהטיול שלה לחו”ל.
(My sister bought me a nice gift from her trip abroad.)

בעל (ba’al) – Husband
In Hebrew, ‘ba’al’ means husband. This term can also mean ‘owner.’
הבעל שלי תמיד מביא לי פרחים ביום הנישואין שלנו.
(My husband always brings me flowers on our anniversary.)

אישה (isha) – Wife
The word for ‘wife,’ it can also simply mean ‘woman.’
האישה שלי היא גם החברה הטובה ביותר שלי.
(My wife is also my best friend.)

ילד (yeled) – Son
This term is used for a male child or son.
הילד שלהם נרשם לכדורגל.
(Their son signed up for soccer.)

ילדה (yalda) – Daughter
This is the term for a female child or daughter.
ילדתם למדה לנגן על פסנתר.
(Their daughter learned to play piano.)

סבא (saba) – Grandfather
A respectful and affectionate term for ‘grandfather.’
הסבא שלי אהב לספר סיפורים מיוחדים.
(My grandfather liked to tell special stories.)

סבתא (savta) – Grandmother
This is the Hebrew term for ‘grandmother.’
סבתא שלי היא האופה הטובה ביותר בעולם.
(My grandmother is the best baker in the world.)

דוד (dod) – Uncle
This term is used to refer to the brother of one’s mother or father.
דוד שלי עזר לי ללמוד לנהוג.
(My uncle helped me learn to drive.)

דודה (doda) – Aunt
This is the feminine counterpart to ‘dod,’ used to refer to the sister of one’s mother or father.
דודתי מגיעה לבקר אותנו מידי חודש.
(My aunt comes to visit us every month.)