Download Article
An easy guide on how to respectfully address an “auntie”
Download Article
In Indian culture, an auntie refers to any older woman. It’s a sign of affection and respect that is usually reserved for women you have some kind of social or familial connection to. If you aren’t Indian or you haven’t spent a lot of time around Indians, this may seem a little strange at first. Here, we’ll cover all of the social norms, uses, and etiquette surrounding the term. As a note, this convention is not specific to India, and you will hear “auntie” or “uncle” across all Desi cultures, although it is most widely associated with Indian people in the West.
Things You Should Know
- In Indian culture, people will often refer to all older women as aunties.
- If you’re with Indian friends or family, use “auntie” for any older woman you have a social or familial connection with.
- “Uncle” is the male version of auntie. You use it the exact same way you use “auntie.”
Steps
Expert Q&A
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
Advertisement
Tips
- While aunties are often associated with Indian people, you’ll find people using “auntie” in most Desi cultures (Desi referring broadly to anyone from the Indian subcontinent or the associated diaspora). In other words, Afghani, Bangladeshi, Sri Lankan, Nepalese, etc. people will often use “auntie” the same way Indians do. [7] X Research source Some Native American cultures will also use “auntie” the same way. [8] X Research source It's also common for Hawaiian natives to do this, although they use “Auntie” and “Unko.” [9] X Research sourceThanks
Submit a Tip
All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
Name
Please provide your name and last initial
Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
Advertisement
References
- ↑ https://www.stabroeknews.com/2016/02/13/opinion/letters/indians-use-aunty-uncle-terms-respect-world/
- ↑ https://www.mensxp.com/entertainment/bollywood/133929-indian-matchmaking-season-3-review-hate-sima-taparia.html
- ↑ https://linguistics.illinois.edu/hindi/about-hindi
- ↑ https://bigislandpulse.com/lifestyle/4-times-calling-someone-aunty-or-uncle-could-be-a-bad-idea/
- ↑ https://www.beginningwithi.com/2004/12/07/terms-of-address-what-to-call-people-in-india/
- ↑ https://www.beginningwithi.com/2004/12/07/terms-of-address-what-to-call-people-in-india/
- ↑ https://www.nbcnews.com/news/asian-america/brown-desi-south-asian-diaspora-reflects-terms-represent-erase-rcna1886
- ↑ https://www.montana.edu/news/mountainsandminds/21659/we-all-need-that-auntie
- ↑ https://bigislandpulse.com/lifestyle/4-times-calling-someone-aunty-or-uncle-could-be-a-bad-idea/
About This Article
Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 58,620 times.
Advertisement