maternel

maternal, motherly, on the mother's side

m a . t ɛ ʁ . n ɛ l
matern mother + el relating to
adjective · singular masculine Rare #46,800
maternal, motherly
FR: Elle a un instinct maternel très fort.
EN: She has a very strong maternal instinct.
on the mother's side
FR: Il a une tante du côté maternel.
EN: He has an aunt on his mother's side.
Forms of maternel
MasculineFeminine
Singular maternel —

On m'a dit que je dois sembler maternel et manger beaucoup de pâtes.

I was told that I have to seem maternal and eat lots of pasta.

— Huit et demi (1963)

Il a deux tantes du côté maternel.

He has two aunts on his mother's side.

Je ne crois pas à cet amour agressif, collant, maternel.

I don't believe in this aggressive, clingy, maternal love.

— La dolce vita (1960)

Assez peu d'instinct maternel, donc.

Not much maternal instinct, then.

— Une bataille après l'autre (2025)

C'est ton instinct maternel qui s'exprime.

It's your maternal instinct expressing itself.

— Une fiancée pas comme les autres (2007)

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