die Tante, -n
aunt
Die Schwester der Mutter oder des Vaters, oder die Ehefrau des Onkels.
Definition & meaning
The word refers to a female relative, specifically the sister or sister-in-law of one's mother or father. In a family context, she is the aunt of the person speaking.
There are also more colloquial or outdated uses of the word:
- Historically, children often referred to female nursery teachers or acquaintances of the parents as "Tante" followed by their first name.
- In a casual or sometimes slightly derogatory sense, it can be used to refer to any woman (e.g., "die Verkäufer-Tante" – the saleswoman).
- In the expression "Tante-Emma-Laden", it refers to a small, traditional corner shop.
Grammar & Word origin
The word is a feminine noun. Its plural form is "die Tanten".
The term entered the German language in the 18th century from the French word "tante". Before this influence, German distinguished between the maternal aunt, called Muhme, and the paternal aunt, called Base. Over time, these specific terms were largely replaced by the general term "Tante".
Synonyms & antonyms
Synonyms: There are no direct synonyms in modern standard German for the familial relation, though people may use the diminutive form Tantchen to show affection. In specific genealogical contexts, one might use Vaterschwester (father's sister) or Mutterschwester (mother's sister).
Antonyms: The male equivalent is the Onkel. From the perspective of the aunt, the corresponding relatives are the Neffe (nephew) or the Nichte (niece).
Make “Tante” part of your vocabulary.
Build your German vocabulary with flashcards, audio and spaced repetition.
Examples
Meine Tante besucht uns heute.noun
My aunt is visiting us today.
Seine Tante geht oft ins Theater.noun
His aunt often goes to the theater.
Keep exploring German
Learn words from the content you love.
Add words from websites, books and videos, then remember them with spaced repetition (SRS).
Scan for iPhone & iPad