m'aintín
The Irish phrase for "my aunt" is m'aintín.
This phrase is used to refer to the sister of one's father or mother, or the wife of one's uncle.
Did you know?
- The word aintín is a loanword that entered Irish from the English word 'aunt', but it was adapted to fit Irish grammar and phonetics.
- While aintín is the word for the relative, it is also frequently used as a polite or affectionate term of address for any older woman in a community, regardless of blood relation.
- In historical Irish legal texts, the rights and inheritance roles of a paternal aunt differed from those of a maternal aunt, though both are now called aintín.
Example conversation
Cathal and Siobhán are looking at old family photos.
- CathalCé an té seo, a Siobhán?Who is this, Siobhán?
- SiobhánIs é seo m'aintín.This is my aunt.
- CathalAn bhfuil sí i gCill Cháin?Does she live in Killane?
- SiobhánTá, tá m'aintín ansin.Yes, my aunt is there.
