French word

tante

Pronunciation

IPA/tɑ̃t/

Meaning

  • feminine nounaunt

Example

Ma tante habite près d'ici.

My aunt lives near here.

Illustration for tante (aunt)

More examples

Ma tante m'a offert un cadeau.

My aunt gave me a gift.

Core concept

A family-tree link to a parent, reached through the parent's sibling or that sibling's spouse.

Common phrases

  • ma tante

    my aunt

  • ma tante préférée

    my favorite aunt

Similar words

tata: A childlike or familiar way to address an aunt.
tatie: A warm, familiar way to address an aunt at home.
oncle: A man related as an uncle through blood or marriage.

Definition in French

Désigne la sœur de l'un des parents ou la femme du frère ou de la sœur d'un parent, et s'emploie pour désigner ce lien familial.

Word origin

French inherited tante through Old French ante from Latin amita, while its modern meaning covers the broader aunt relationship.

Usage tips

  • In familiar family speech, tata and tatie can be used as affectionate forms, while tante remains the neutral standard word.

Opposites

Related words

  • tantineauntienoun

Word lists with this word