Onkel

uncle

noun ON-kel Rare

Origin: from French oncle, Latin avunculus

Usage Note

Onkel is the standard word for an uncle — the brother of one's parent or the husband of one's aunt. In children's speech it is also used as a polite address for adult male friends of the family (Onkel Peter).

Examples

"Mein Onkel erzählt bei jedem Familienfest dieselben alten Witze."

Natural Translation

My uncle tells the same old jokes at every family gathering.

Literal Translation

My uncle tells at every family-festival the same old jokes.

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