tiya
/ˈtia/
The Tagalog word for aunt is tiya. Wiktionary also lists tita and tiyahin.
Meaning: a parent's sister or sister-in-law (noun)
Ways to say it
| Tagalog | IPA |
|---|---|
| tiya | /ˈtia/ (Standard Tagalog) /tiˈa/ (Standard Tagalog) |
| tita | /ˈtita/ (Standard Tagalog) |
| tiyahin | /tiˈahin/ (Standard Tagalog) /tiˈahin/ |
The word aunt refers to a parent's sister or sister-in-law.
Which one should you use?
While tiya and tita can serve as titles used before a person's name, tiyahin is typically used to describe the relationship itself.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Tita is an informal and affectionate way to address an aunt, making it common in everyday conversation. Tiya is a more formal or traditional way to address an aunt.
How does it change in a sentence?
tiyahin is a noun used to denote the relationship of being an aunt.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈtia/
When do people say it?
In Filipino culture, terms like tita or tiya are often used as respectful honorifics for older women even if they are not biologically related.
Did you know?
- The linguistic roots of tiya travel a long path from Ancient Greek through Late Latin and Spanish before arriving in Tagalog.
- The word tita is widely used in the 'Tita of Manila' stereotype, referring to a specific class of affluent, sophisticated older women.
- The suffix -hin in tiyahin is a native Philippine linguistic marker used to turn the borrowed Spanish root tiya into a formal relationship noun.
Examples in context
- May tiya ako sa Los Angeles.I have an aunt who lives in Los Angeles.This sentence is useful for stating where an aunt lives using tiya.Tatoeba #1757524 by nonong, translation #249863 by shekitten
- Nakikituloy siya sa tiya niya.He boarded with his aunt.This sentence is useful for describing someone boarding with an aunt using tiya.Tatoeba #11459851 by qwertzu, translation #289430 by CM
- Kasundo ng nanay ko ang tita ko.My mother is on good terms with my aunt.This sentence is useful for describing a relationship between a mother and an aunt using tita.Tatoeba #11482196 by qwertzu, translation #251820 by CK
- Kumusta po, Tiya?Hello, Aunt?
- Paumanhin po, Tiya.I'm sorry, Aunt.
- Kumusta, Tita?Hi, Auntie?
- Salamat, Tita!Thank you, Auntie!
- 4 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Maria and Mark are talking about a family gathering.
- MariaDarating ba ang tiya mo sa party?Will your aunt come to the party?
- MarkOo, sasama si tiya mula sa probinsya.Yes, my aunt from the province is coming along.
- MariaMabuti naman at makikita natin siya.That's good, we will get to see her.
- MarkSiguradong matutuwa ang tiya ko sa iyo.My aunt will surely be happy to see you.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “aunt” translations and entries tiya, tita, tiyahin, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries tita, tiya, tiyahin, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
