tia
aunt
Beginner Noun Feminine
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Pronunciation
/ˈti.ɐ/
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Cultural Note
In Portugal, aunts often serve as secondary mothers, especially in close-knit families. The expression 'tia-avó' means great-aunt. In Brazilian schools, it is extremely common for children to call female teachers 'tia,' though educator Paulo Freire famously criticized this practice, arguing it diminished the professional role of teachers.
📝 Example Sentences
A minha tia faz o melhor bacalhau.
My aunt makes the best cod fish.
A tia Maria vem jantar connosco.
Aunt Maria is coming to have dinner with us.
A tia cuidou de mim quando era pequena.
My aunt took care of me when I was little.