Vocabulary
die
Gattin
/ˈɡatɪn/· noun· Pl. die Gattinnen
wife, spouse (formal, elevated)
Die Gattin is the elevated or official word for Ehefrau, found in invitations, speeches and society reports (der Botschafter und seine Gattin), but people never use it for their own wife.
CEFR C1Frequency ●●●●●
Your memory
New
Learning
Familiar
Strong
Mastered
Forms
- Singular
- die Gattin
- Plural
- die Gattinnen
- Genitiv
- der Gattin
- maskulin
- der Gatte, die Gatten
One word, many lives
Tap a meaning. Real German isn't a dictionary translation.
Gattin
wife (formal)
Der Jubilar erschien in Begleitung seiner Gattin.
The guest of honour arrived accompanied by his wife.
Word family
Gattinder Gattehusband (formal)der Ehegattespousedie Ehegattenspouses, married coupledas Ehegattensplittingjoint taxation of married couples
Common combinations
- in Begleitung seiner Gattinaccompanied by his wife
- Herr Weber und GattinMr Weber and his wife (on invitations)
- die Gattin des Botschaftersthe ambassador's wife
- Ihre werte Gattinyour good wife (very formal)
Common learner mistakes
- Das ist meine Gattin.Das ist meine Frau.Gattin is used for other people's wives in formal situations; about your own wife it sounds pompous or ironic.
Real examples
- Zum Empfang im Rathaus waren der Rektor und seine Gattin eingeladen.The rector and his wife were invited to the reception at the town hall.
- Bitte richten Sie Ihrer Gattin meine herzlichsten Grüße aus.Please give my warmest regards to your wife.
- Der frühere Tierarzt des Ortes und seine Gattin feiern am Samstag goldene Hochzeit.The village's former vet and his wife are celebrating their golden wedding anniversary on Saturday.
