How do you address your aunt in Spanish?

Question

In English we often call our parents' sisters "aunt," as in "Hello, Aunt Mary!" It becomes part of the proper name and is capitalized.

¿Cómo se dice "Aunt Mary" in español? Se dice "Tía Mary"? Por ejemplo: "¡Hola Tía Mary!" ¿Es esto correcto? ¡Gracias!

---

So how do you address your aunt named Mary? In English, I address her as Aunt Mary, with aunt being part of her proper name.

How is it done in Spanish, when speaking to your aunt, or writing to your aunt? Is "tía" capitalized and is it used as part of her name? That's what I'm trying to understand. Thanks!

• Hola Alicia, soy nuevo en este sitio. Decirte que en español no hace falta capitalizar la inicial de "tía", se escribe "tía María". Saludos, ruben-r - ruben_r Dec 13, 2010

Answer 1

I've never heard someone call their aunt using 'tía + name'. It's either 'name' or just tía.

Answer 2

Tia Maria.

• Think that's the name of a drink, perhaps you know that and are just joking but if you are you should add he he. - kenwilliams Oct 12, 2009
• I'd like to speak out against "he he", "lol", etc. It's not a funny joke if you have to announce that you are joking. Be funny or refrain from joking. - jrey0474 Oct 22, 2009

Answer 3

Only answered it how it was asked. I don't include my aunt's first name when I address her directly, but when I am speaking of her, I use her first name. That's funny, because all of life doesn't depend in the answers, but in the questions you ask!

Answer 4

It is tía María but there is an accent over both the "i".

Answer 5

I wasn't joking...Tia is aunt and Maria is Mary. Tia Maria.

Answer 6

literally tía Maria.

Answer 7

My aunt doesn't speak Spanish.

• [belly laugh] - Sabor Jan 13, 2011