tía

Aunt. Extended in practice to any close older woman in the family’s circle.

In simple English: Aunt; also a close family friend.

• My tía makes the best tamales.

• She’s not really my aunt, she’s just Tía Rosa to everybody.

Using "tía" for a non-relative is a mark of closeness, not confusion about the family tree.

Track

Spanish & Chicano

Region

Statewide

Part of speech

noun

• jefa
• madrina
• carnal
• mija

• Spanish you already hear: Friends and family