teina
The Tahitian word for brother is teina.
The word teina is a noun used to refer to a younger brother or a younger sibling.
Meaning: male sibling (noun)
Which one should you use?
Tahitian distinguishes between an older brother and a younger brother. While teina specifically refers to a younger brother, the word tuana is used to refer to an older brother.
Did you know?
- The words teina and tuana are gender-neutral and can refer to either a brother or a sister. In Tahitian, the distinction is based on birth order rather than sex.
- The concept of 'brotherhood' in Tahiti is deeply tied to 'mana', where the seniority of a tuana can influence the spiritual authority of the sibling group.
- The relationship described by teina and tuana can extend to cousins, as much of the Polynesian kinship system classifies certain cousins as brothers or sisters.
Example conversation
Hiro and Moani are talking about their family members.
- HiroʻAia tō teina?Where is your brother?
- MoaniʻʻUa haere ʻōna teina i te taʻamu.My brother went to the beach.
- HiroE maitaʻi tō teina.Your brother is kind.
- MoaniʻAe, e maitaʻi tōa ʻōna.Yes, he is very kind.
