German word

Gattin

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈgatɪn/

Meaning

  • feminine nounwife

Example

Meine Gattin kocht sehr gut.

My wife cooks very well.

Illustration for Gattin (wife)

More examples

Die Gattin des Bürgermeisters eröffnete die Ausstellung.

The mayor's wife opened the exhibition.

Core concept

A married female partner identified through the role of spouse rather than through her personal name.

Common phrases

  • meine Gattin

    my wife

  • seine Gattin

    his wife

  • die Gattin des Bürgermeisters

    the mayor's wife

Similar words

Frau: A common everyday term for a woman.
Ehefrau: A wife identified by her legal or marital relationship.
Lebensgefährtin: A female life partner in a long-term relationship, whether married or not.
Partnerin: A female partner defined by the relationship or situation involved.

Definition in German

Gattin bezeichnet die weibliche Ehepartnerin und wird oft stilistisch formeller als Frau verwendet.

Word origin

Gattin derives from the older German noun Gatte by adding -in to mark a female person.

Usage tips

  • The word suits formal writing and official or ceremonial contexts better than casual speech.

Opposites

Word lists with this word