Family & People
How to Say “dad” in Macedonian
What Does “тато” Mean?
The Macedonian expression for “dad” is тато (Latin: tato). It belongs to the category of Macedonian vocabulary for family and people. The Macedonian language — South Slavic, written in Cyrillic, and spoken by around 1.5 million people centred on North Macedonia — is one of the easier languages to read aloud: its 31-letter alphabet is fully phonetic, so each letter keeps the same sound in every word.
Grammar note: The affectionate everyday word for "dad". Татко is "father". When speaking to him directly you say "тато!".
How to Pronounce тато
тато is pronounced “tato” — the transliteration maps each Cyrillic letter to a predictable Latin equivalent, with no silent letters or irregular spellings to watch out for. Stress in Macedonian generally falls on the third-to-last syllable in longer words, though for shorter words and phrases it often falls on the first syllable. Tap “Play Audio” above to listen to the pronunciation.
When to Use “тато”
Family is central to Macedonian culture. Extended family gatherings are common, and knowing family vocabulary helps you understand and participate in conversations about relatives and relationships. These words are frequently used in both formal and informal settings.
This expression is appropriate in both formal and informal situations.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you say "dad" in Macedonian?
"dad" in Macedonian is тато. It is pronounced "tato" — Macedonian is a phonetic language so every letter maps to a consistent sound.
How do you pronounce тато?
тато is pronounced "tato". Macedonian uses the Cyrillic alphabet but is fully phonetic — once you know the letters, you can pronounce any word correctly. Tap the “Play Audio” button on this page to hear it pronounced.
Is "dad" formal or informal in Macedonian?
This expression is appropriate in both formal and informal situations.
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Practice “тато” with Interactive Exercises
OpaLingo's free interactive lessons include audio for every word, flashcards, and quizzes to help you remember Macedonian vocabulary for family and people for good. No account required — start learning immediately.