die Gattin
wife
A formal or elevated term for one's wife.
EXAMPLE
Der Minister erschien in Begleitung seiner Gattin zur Gala.
The minister appeared at the gala accompanied by his wife.
die Gattin
wife
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Meanings
Usage tips
Register and style
'Gattin' (wife) is a formal and elevated term. It is used in official contexts, in written language, or when one wants to sound especially polite and distant. In everyday life, the word is uncommon.
EXAMPLE
Der Präsident hielt die Rede an der Seite seiner Gattin.
The president gave the speech alongside his wife.
Typical phrase
A very fixed expression is the phrase 'und Gattin' (and wife), which is often used on formal invitations or in official announcements to refer to a married couple.
EXAMPLE
Zur Gala werden Herr Dr. Müller und Gattin erwartet.
Dr. Müller and wife are expected at the gala.
Cultural context
When speaking about another person's wife, 'Gattin' (wife) can express respect. If you refer to your own wife as 'meine Gattin' (my wife), it can sound slightly old-fashioned or even ironic depending on the context.
EXAMPLE
Darf ich Ihnen meine Gattin vorstellen?
May I introduce you to my wife?
Compare with
Gattin vs Frau
woman / wife
Frau can refer to one's wife in the context of marriage, especially with a possessive, and sounds neutral in this use. Gattin explicitly refers to a wife and sounds considerably more formal or elevated. Frau is usual in everyday speech, while Gattin is more suitable in a ceremonial or deliberately formal text.
Gattin
Der Redner begrüßte den Ehrengast und seine Gattin bei der Feier.
The speaker welcomed the guest of honor and his wife at the celebration.
Frau
Meine Frau begleitet mich heute zur Feier.
My wife is coming with me to the celebration today.
In real life
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