tío
/TEE-oh/
uncle
The familial relationship: 'Tío' as a beloved uncle.
📝 In Action
Mi tío Juan vive en Madrid.
A1My uncle Juan lives in Madrid.
Voy a visitar a mis tíos este fin de semana.
A2I'm going to visit my aunt and uncle this weekend.
💡 Grammar Points
Plural for 'Aunt and Uncle'
In Spanish, the masculine plural form 'tíos' is often used to refer to a mixed-gender group, like 'your aunt and uncle' together.
⭐ Usage Tips
Family First
This is the most basic and universal meaning of 'tío'. Use it when talking about your family members anywhere in the Spanish-speaking world.
The informal slang meaning: 'Tío' used to mean 'guy' or 'dude'.
tío(Noun)
📝 In Action
Oye, tío, ¿qué hora es?
B1Hey dude, what time is it?
Había un tío en la puerta que no conocía.
B1There was some guy at the door whom I didn't know.
¡Qué tío más raro!
B2What a weird guy!
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using it Formally
Mistake: "Using 'tío' to refer to your boss or an older person you don't know well."
Correction: Only use 'tío' with friends and peers in casual situations. Use 'señor' or 'hombre' in more formal contexts.
⭐ Usage Tips
Mainly in Spain
This slang usage is most famous and widespread in Spain. While understood in some parts of Latin America, it's not used as frequently and other words like 'güey' (Mexico) or 'che' (Argentina) are more common.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: tío
Question 1 of 1
Your friend from Spain says, 'Ayer vi a un tío muy alto en la tienda.' What does he most likely mean?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use 'tío' to talk about a woman?
No, 'tío' is masculine. The female equivalent is 'tía'. For the family member, you'd say 'mi tía' (my aunt). For the slang term, you'd say 'esa tía' (that girl/chick), which is also very informal.
Is it rude to call someone 'tío'?
It depends on the context and your relationship. Calling your friend 'tío' is perfectly normal and friendly in Spain. However, calling a stranger, your boss, or an elderly person 'tío' would be too informal and possibly disrespectful.