tía
family, Mexico
In Mexico an aunt is tía. The same word covers a mother's sister, a father's sister and an uncle's wife. It is also called tía abuela and tita.
Meaning: sister of a parent (noun)
Ways to say it
| Mexican | Note |
|---|---|
| tía | family, Mexico |
| tía abuela | great aunt |
| tita | affectionate |
A great aunt is tía abuela. Children often use tita as an affectionate form.
When do people say it?
Mexicans sometimes call a close older woman tía even without a family link, a sign of warmth and respect.
Did you know?
- Mija is a contraction of mi hija and is a very common way for Mexican relatives to speak to a girl or younger woman.
Examples in context
- Mi tía vive en Monterrey.My aunt lives in Monterrey.
- Voy a casa de mi tía el domingo.I am going to my aunt's house on Sunday.
- La tía Chela hace los mejores tamales.Aunt Chela makes the best tamales.
Example conversation
Sofía calls her aunt Chela before a family lunch.
- SofíaTía, ¿llevo algo para la comida?Aunt, should I bring something for lunch?
- Tía ChelaSí, mija, lleva el postre.Yes, dear, bring the dessert.
- SofíaListo, nos vemos al rato.Done, see you in a bit.
