tama
The Samoan word for boy is tama.
tama is a noun used to refer to a male child.
Meaning: male child (noun)
Did you know?
- The word tama is the foundation for tama’ita, the Samoan word for 'girl'. This means the term for 'boy' is literally embedded within the term for 'girl'.
- If a boy holds a high social rank or a specific village title, it is considered disrespectful to use the simple word tama and instead use specific honorifics.
- The word tama is a linguistic bridge across the Pacific, as it is shared among many different Austronesian languages.
Examples in context
- Ia manuia le aso, tama!Have a good day, boy!
- O se tama itiʻi lena.This is a little boy.
- O loʻo fai ʻana se tama.A boy is playing.
- E tasi le tama i le fale.There is one boy in the house.
Example conversation
Losa and Tasi are looking at a photo of a relative.
- LosaO ai lea tama i le ata?Who is that boy in the photo?
- TasiO lo'uTama ia.That is my boy.
- LosaE matua lau tama.Your boy is very tall.
- TasiAe lelei.Yes, he is.
