Usage Note
Tiya is a Spanish loanword from tía used both for a biological aunt and as a respectful term for older female relatives or family friends. It is slightly more formal and old-fashioned than tita, and remains more common among older generations and in some regional varieties of Tagalog.
Examples
" Mabait ang tiya ko. "
Natural Translation
My aunt is kind.
Literal Translation
Kind the aunt my.
" Dumating ang aking tiya mula sa Amerika. "
Natural Translation
My aunt arrived from America.
Literal Translation
Arrived the my aunt from America.
" Tuwing may pista sa amin, ang aking tiya ang siyang namamahala sa paghahanda ng lahat ng pagkain. "
Natural Translation
Whenever there is a fiesta in our place, it is my aunt who takes charge of preparing all the food.
Literal Translation
Every has fiesta in us, the my aunt the who manages in preparing of all of food.
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