grand-tante
The English phrase 'great aunt' is translated into French as grand-tante.
This phrase is used to refer to the sister of one's grandmother or grandfather.
Which one should you use?
While grand-tante is the standard term, arrière-tante is also used to mean 'great aunt'.
Did you know?
- When using the term arrière-tante, you are using a prefix that is also the standard way to say 'rear-view' in the phrase rétroviseur arrière.
- French speakers often avoid using grand-tante in direct address, preferring to call the person tante or by their first name.
- The alternative term arrière-tante uses the prefix arrière, which literally means 'behind' or 'rear'.
Examples in context
- Ma grand-tante était une anti-alcoolique invétérée.My great aunt was a staunch teetotaler.This sentence is useful for demonstrating the use of grand-tante.Tatoeba #800967 by sacredceltic, translation #729862 by darinmex
- J'ai rencontré mon arrière-tante pour la première fois aujourd'hui.I met my great aunt for the first time today.
- Mon arrière-tante est une femme remarquable.My great aunt is an exceptional woman.
- Ma grand-tante habite à Lyon.My great-aunt lives in Lyon.
- Je cherche ma grand-tante dans la foule.I am looking for my great-aunt in the crowd.
Example conversation
Two cousins are looking through old family photographs.
- GabrielQui est cette femme sur la photo ?Who is this woman in the photo?
- ChloéC'est ma grand-tante, la sœur de ma grand-mère.It's my great-aunt, my grandmother's sister.
- GabrielElle a l'air très gentille.She looks very kind.
- ChloéOui, elle est vraiment adorable.Yes, she is truly lovely.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
