Ukrainian Words for "Aunt"

For the one person out there who is still reading this blog, LOL. You asked me what the word Aunt is in Ukrainian.

It depends! Not only on who the Aunt is directly related to (Mom or Dad) but also what part of Ukraine you are from.

My Mom is from Western Ukraine and the family has been here for 50+ years so we tend to follow a slightly different set of rules. Generally you would refer to an Aunt as "Teta" or "Cho-cha" Technically one refers to the sister of your Father and one to the sister of your Mother.

Don't ask me which is which because I've got no idea. This is how we play it in my 'hood:

With my girls, both are used as terms of endearment and respect, but you're ONLY a Teta if you are a Grand Dame of the Ukrainian matriarchy. My girls would call MY Grandmother's peers Teta and that group is fading fast. The girls call my Aunts (my Mother's sisters as Dad is not a member of the tribe) and my Mother's peers Cho-cha.

All Americans are simply "Aunt" Sounds confusing, but you'd be surprised how the girls can keep it all straight.

So, in summary. Both are used as a respectful form of address, but Teta is used as a more formal option.

Next question!