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materno

maternal

adjective mah-TEHR-noh Rare

Usage Note

Materno describes anything relating to a mother or one's mother. The phrase lengua materna means 'mother tongue,' and abuela materna means 'maternal grandmother' (as opposed to paterna). It is used in formal and everyday registers alike.

Examples

"El instinto materno es muy fuerte."

Natural Translation

The maternal instinct is very strong.

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