die Tante
aunt
The sister of a parent or the wife of an uncle.
EXAMPLE
Meine Tante aus Berlin kommt uns am Wochenende besuchen.
My aunt from Berlin is coming to visit us this weekend.
die Tante
aunt
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Meanings
die Tante
woman
Colloquially, a general, often slightly derogatory or distant term for an (older) woman.
EXAMPLE
Da vorne steht so eine komische Tante und beobachtet uns.
There's some weird woman standing up ahead and watching us.
die Tante
shopkeeper
An outdated but affectionate term for the owner of a small shop ('Tante-Emma-Laden').
EXAMPLE
Früher haben wir die Süßigkeiten immer bei der Tante an der Ecke gekauft.
In the past, we always bought sweets from the shopkeeper on the corner.
die Tante
old queen
In the gay scene, a partly ironic, partly outdated term for an older, often effeminate homosexual man.
EXAMPLE
Die alten Tanten erzählen immer die besten Geschichten aus den 70er Jahren.
The old queens always tell the best stories from the 1970s.
Usage tips
Use and form of address
When talking about the sister of a parent, you say 'meine Tante' (my aunt). When addressing her directly, you often use the form 'Tante' plus first name.
EXAMPLE
Hallo Tante Sabine, wie geht es dir?
Hello Aunt Sabine, how are you?
Register: Colloquial
The term 'Tante' (woman) for an unknown, usually older woman is colloquial and often meant in a slightly negative or disrespectful way. You should avoid it in polite conversations.
EXAMPLE
Die Tante an der Kasse war ziemlich unfreundlich.
The woman at the checkout was pretty unfriendly.
Cultural context
This meaning is part of the fixed term 'Tante-Emma-Laden' (mom-and-pop store). It refers to a small, traditional grocery store, like the ones that used to exist in many neighborhoods.
EXAMPLE
Als Kind habe ich mein Eis immer im Tante-Emma-Laden an der Ecke gekauft.
As a child, I always bought my ice cream at the mom-and-pop store on the corner.
Register: Scene language
The use of 'Tante' (old queen) for a homosexual man is a specific term from the gay scene. Today it is often perceived as outdated or ironic and should not be used outside this context.
EXAMPLE
Im Club trafen wir ein paar ältere Tanten, die von früher erzählten.
At the club, we met a few older queens who talked about the old days.
Compare with
Tante vs Dame
lady / queen / checkers
Dame refers to a woman politely and usually neutrally. Tante can colloquially mean an older woman, but depending on the tone it can sound distant or slightly derogatory. Dame is appropriate in a respectful situation; Tante is suitable only in casual or deliberately judgmental language.
Tante
Die Tante an der Kasse meckerte laut über die lange Schlange.
The woman at the checkout loudly complained about the long line.
Dame
Die Dame an der Kasse half mir freundlich bei der Suche nach dem richtigen Artikel.
The lady at the checkout kindly helped me find the right item.
In real life
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