primos

Primos is the plural form of primo in Spanish and Portuguese, meaning the children of one’s aunts and uncles: cousins. The masculine singular is primo and the feminine singular is prima; the plurals are primos (mixed or masculine) and primas (feminine). The term is used across Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking regions to denote kin who share grandparents but not one’s parents. Phrases such as “mis primos” or “mis primas” are common in family contexts, and a close cousin may be described as “primo hermano” to emphasize closeness.

Etymology traces primos to Latin primus, meaning first, with the sense of a first-degree relative in several Romance languages. Over time, the word came to designate the broader circle of extended family beyond siblings and parents.

In everyday language, primos often constitute a key part of extended family networks and genealogical discussions. In some cultures, primos grow up together and form strong social ties; in others, interactions vary widely by family.

In mathematics, the word primos is also used in Spanish to refer to prime numbers, though the formal term remains números primos. In casual mathematical speech, alguien may say “los primos” when the context clearly concerns prime numbers.

Summary: primos denotes cousins in Spanish and Portuguese, with gendered and plural forms, and appears in both familial and occasionally mathematical contexts. The concept captures a common element of family structure across many cultures.