native tongue — the first language that a person learns as a baby
Part of speech: NOUN
Definition: the first language that a person learns as a baby
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈneɪtɪv tʌŋ/
Example Sentences
- When angry, people often swear in their native tongue.
- She dreams in her native tongue even after 20 years abroad.
- My cat seems to understand Korean better than English - maybe Korean is his native tongue too!
native tongue
NOUN[/ˈneɪtɪv tʌŋ/]
the first language that a person learns as a baby

💡 Concept
the first language that a person learns as a baby

🎵 Rhyme
Her native tongue soothes the young, while memories are hung!
Got the picture? Now let's practice.
🎤Pronunciation
🇺🇸 US/ˈneɪtɪv tʌŋ/
🇬🇧 UK/ˈneɪtɪv tʌŋ/
🌳Etymology
Rootnative
Suffix-tongue
🎵Rhyme
tonguelungyounghung
tongue
lung
young
hung
🔗Collocations
native tongue speaker
speak in one's native tongue
lose one's native tongue
preserve native tongue
return to native tongue
native tongue fluency
📝Examples
😄 Fun example
“When angry, people often swear in their native tongue.”
“She dreams in her native tongue even after 20 years abroad.”
😄 Fun example
“My cat seems to understand Korean better than English - maybe Korean is his native tongue too!”
“Learning a second language made me appreciate my native tongue more.”
📚Related Words
Synonyms
mother tonguefirst languageL1mother language
Antonyms
foreign languagesecond languageL2
Related
bilingualmultilingualfluentaccentdialect
Want to master 19,000+ words?
Sign up free for flashcards & quizzes.