How Do You Say Uncle In English

In Spanish the word uncle is used in two different contexts. In its literal form, uncle is a word that expresses a family relationship and it is the word we use to refer to the brother or cousin of one of our parents. In another context, especially in Spain, the word uncle is used to talk about any person, it is equivalent to saying type, subject.

To refer to the family relationship, in English there is only one word: uncle:

Tomorrow my uncle Bernie will visit us.

Uncle Harry is my father’s second cousin.

We also use the word uncle when we talk about the brother of one of our grandparents. In this case we use the word "granduncle":

My granduncle he is 89 years old.

In my granduncle’S house he has an old watch.

Also in English uncle is used to refer to a person who is not from the family, but has a close friendship and a familiar relationship. This treatment generally occurs among young people. It is also a way of addressing a sponsor.

Uncle Herbie works with my dad.

In that office works uncle Terry.

In the sense of referring to any person, there are several words that translate as uncle: Guy, Chap, fellow, gaffer.

What wants this guy? (What does this guy want? What does this guy want?)

That chap is great. (This friend is great; This guy is great)

Mark always is a good fellow playing football. (Mark is always a good partner playing soccer. Mark is always a good guy playing soccer)

The gaffer of the construction make us work too late. (The foreman on site made us work very late. The guy from the construction site made us work very late)

Example of text with the word uncle in English:

I love go to vacation in summer to my uncle’s house. He lives with my granduncle near Alaska. He works in a petroleum company. The weekend he meet us the gaffer who works with him. He says that he is a good fellow for playing football and pocker.