nagynéni
[ˈnɒɟneːni]
The Hungarian word for aunt is nagynéni.
Nagynéni is used to refer to a parent's sister or a sister-in-law. You may also encounter the form néni, which is used to address an older woman or to refer to an aunt.
Meaning: a parent's sister or sister-in-law (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word nagynéni is a combination of nagy, meaning big or great and néni, a term for an older woman or an aunt.
Which one should you use?
While nagynéni refers specifically to an aunt, the word nagymama is used to mean grandmother.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The shortened form néni is used in casual speech or when addressing an aunt. However, néni is also used as a polite way to address any woman who is significantly older than you, even if she is not a relative.
How does it change in a sentence?
To say 'my aunt', you add the possessive suffix -im to the word to form nagynénim.
Did you know?
- In Hungary, children often address adult women who are not relatives by using néni followed by their first name, such as Kati néni.
- Calling a woman néni when she considers herself too young can sometimes be taken as a slight, as it emphasizes her age.
- In many Hungarian households, children use néni as a title for female teachers or even female shop assistants to maintain a polite distance.
Examples in context
- A nagynénim öt gyereket felnevelt.My aunt brought up five children.This sentence shows how to use the possessive form nagynéni.Tatoeba #2799420 by jingwumen, translation #251191 by CK
- A nagynénim paradicsomot ültet a kertjében.My aunt grows tomatoes in her garden.This sentence shows the use of nagynéni in the context of gardening.Tatoeba #2799260 by jingwumen, translation #250270 by CK
- Jó napot kívánok, nagynéni!Good day, aunt!
Example conversation
Katalin and Zoltán are looking at old family photographs.
- KatalinKi ez a fiatal nő a képen?Who is this young woman in the picture?
- ZoltánEz a nagynénim, Anna.This is my aunt, Anna.
- KatalinŐ nagyon kedvesnek tűnik.She seems very kind.
- ZoltánIgen, a nagynénim a legkedvesebb családtagunk.Yes, my aunt is the kindest member of our family.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “aunt” translations and entries nagynéni, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
