Language/Samoan/Vocabulary/Family-Members
Samoan culture places a strong emphasis on family and community, with close relationships between family members being highly valued. This lesson will teach you the Samoan words for various family members, including parents, siblings, grandparents, and extended family. By the end of this lesson, you will have a strong foundation for discussing your own family in Samoan and connecting with Samoan culture more deeply.
Immediate Family Members
Parents
In Samoan culture, parents are highly respected and play a vital role in raising and supporting their children. Here are the words for mother and father in Samoan:
| Samoan | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| tina | tee-nah | mother |
| matua | mah-too-ah | father |
Here are a few example sentences using these words:
- O le tina o le aua o lo'u uo. (My mother is a nurse.)
- E fa'apea ma a'u nei matua e fa'asalalau pea i le ulugalii. (My parents always argue about trivial things.)
Siblings
Siblings often have close relationships in Samoan culture and are considered important sources of support and companionship. Here are the words for brother and sister in Samoan:
| Samoan | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| tuagane | too-ah-gah-neh | brother |
| tuafafine | too-ah-fah-fee-neh | sister |
Here are a few example sentences using these words:
- O lo'u tuagane e fa'ataunu'u i le vaomatua fa'alogologo. (My brother works in the government.)
- Ua fa'apefea lo'u tuafafine? (How is my sister doing?)
Extended Family Members
Grandparents
Grandparents hold a special place in Samoan culture, with grandfathers often serving as respected leaders in their families and communities. Here are the words for grandmother and grandfather in Samoan:
| Samoan | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| tinā fai-māmā | tee-nah fai-mah-mah | maternal grandmother |
| tamā fai-māmā | tah-mah fai-mah-mah | maternal grandfather |
| tinā fai-pāpā | tee-nah fai-pah-pah | paternal grandmother |
| tamā fai-pāpā | tah-mah fai-pah-pah | paternal grandfather |
Here are a few example sentences using these words:
- Ua o'o mai le fa'amalosi i lana tina fai-mamā. (He inherited his strong will from his maternal grandmother.)
- Ua mātau i'a matua o Frank o le tamā fai-pāpā o le Ta'isi. (Frank's paternal grandfather was a Ta'isi chief.)
Aunts and Uncles
Aunts and uncles are also highly respected in Samoan culture, often serving as additional sources of guidance and support for their nieces and nephews. Here are the words for aunt and uncle in Samoan:
| Samoan | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| tina tama'ita'i | tee-nah tah-mah-ee-tah-ee | maternal aunt |
| tamā tama'ita'i | tah-mah tah-mah-ee-tah-ee | maternal uncle |
| tina tama'vale | tee-nah tah-mah-vah-leh | paternal aunt |
| tamā tama'vale | tah-mah tah-mah-vah-leh | paternal uncle |
Here are a few example sentences using these words:
- O lo'u tina tama'vale o lo'u faletua o lo'u uso tino. (My aunt on my father's side is my sister's mother-in-law.)
- E tasi le filemu o lenei 'auilo'au i le mafaufau i tama'ita'i ma tama'vale. (This seminar discusses the role of aunts and uncles in raising children.)
Cousins
In Samoan culture, cousins are often treated more like siblings than mere relatives, with close relationships and frequent interaction between families. Here are the words for cousin in Samoan:
| Samoan | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| uso | oo-so | cousin (both male and female) |
Here are a few example sentences using this word:
- Ua tautala le uso a John i loto o le faigātele. (John's cousin spoke at the ceremony.)
- E matua fa'ataoto levea ma le uso o lo'u fanau? (Should I invite my child's cousin to the party?)
Conclusion
By mastering the Samoan words for family members, you will be able to connect more meaningfully with Samoan culture and express yourself more fully in Samoan conversations. Practice using these words in your own sentences and with others, and you will soon find yourself communicating comfortably and effectively in Samoan. Fa'afetai tele lava (thank you very much) for learning with us today!
Videos
Samoan Language - Family Members - YouTube