---
title: "Tagalog Family Terms: How to Address Relatives | TagaTuro"
description: "Learn Tagalog family words and titles like nanay, tatay, kuya, ate, lola, and lolo with cultural context."
tags: ["tagalog family terms", "tagalog words for family", "kuya ate meaning"]
language: en
source: "TagaTuro"
url: https://www.tagaturo.com/guides/tagalog-family-terms/
---

# Tagalog Family Terms: How to Address Relatives

Learn Tagalog family words and titles like nanay, tatay, kuya, ate, lola, and lolo with cultural context.

## Overview
Family terms carry respect and warmth in Filipino culture. This guide helps you choose the right words when speaking with parents, grandparents, and relatives.

## Key sections
### Core immediate family terms
Start with the words you will use most often at home and in family chats.

- Nanay and tatay for parents
- Anak for child
- Pamilya for family as a whole

### Siblings and respectful titles
Kuya and ate show respect and are used beyond siblings too.

- Kuya for older brothers or older men you know
- Ate for older sisters or older women you know
- Use po for extra respect

### Grandparents and extended relatives
Extended family is a big part of Filipino life.

- Lola and lolo for grandparents
- Tita and tito for aunts and uncles
- Pinsan for cousins

### Combine titles with greetings
Pair family terms with greetings to sound natural and polite.

- Magandang umaga po, Lola
- Kumusta po kayo, Tito
- Salamat po, Kuya

## FAQ
- **Are kuya and ate only for siblings?**: No. They are also respectful titles for older men and women you know.
- **Should I always add po with family terms?**: Use po when speaking to elders or when you want to be extra respectful.
- **Is pinsan gender-specific?**: Pinsan is gender-neutral and works for any cousin.

## Related categories
- [Family and Relationships](/categories/family/)
- [Greetings](/categories/greetings/)
- [Affection and Care](/categories/affection/)
- [Introductions](/categories/introductions/)

## Keep learning
- [Guides](/guides/)
- [Learn hub](/learn/)