Language Lesson

Family Terms

Family is the center of Samoan life. Learn the words for the people who matter most.

By admin

Level: beginner

Vocabulary

English: Family Samoan: Aiga Pronunciation: ah-EE-ngah Example: O lo'u aiga tele. — My family is large.
English: Father Samoan: Tama Pronunciation: TAH-mah Example: O lo'u tama o Sione. — My father is Sione.
English: Mother Samoan: Tina Pronunciation: TEE-nah Example: O lo'u tina o Sina.
English: Girl / Daughter Samoan: Teine Pronunciation: TEH-ee-neh Example: O lo'u teine. — My daughter.
English: Girl / Young woman Samoan: Tama'ita'i Pronunciation: tah-mah-ee-TAH-ee Example: O ia o se tama'ita'i matua. — She is a grown woman.
English: Lady / Woman (respectful) Samoan: Tama'ita'i Pronunciation: tah-mah-ee-TAH-ee Example: Tama'ita'i mai le tama'ita'i.
English: Boy / Son (also father — context matters) Samoan: Tama Pronunciation: TAH-mah Example: O lo'u tamaitiiti. — My child.
English: Grandparent / Ancestor Samoan: Tupuna Pronunciation: too-POO-nah Example: O lo'u tupuna tele. — My great-grandparent.
English: Sibling (same gender) Samoan: Uso Pronunciation: OO-soh Example: O lo'u uso. — My brother (said by a brother) or sister (said by a sister).
English: Sister (said by a brother) Samoan: Tuafafine Pronunciation: too-ah-fah-FEE-neh Example: O lo'u tuafafine. — My sister.