tausoga
The Samoan word for cousin is tausoga.
The term tausoga refers to a person who is the child of one's parent's brother or sister.
Meaning: child of a person’s parent’s brother or sister (noun)
Did you know?
- In some Samoan contexts, the term tausoga can be used affectionately for close friends who are not biologically related, effectively 'adopting' them into the family.
- The way you interact with a 'tausoga' is governed by 'va', the Samoan concept of sacred relational space and respect.
- In many Samoan contexts, the concept of a cousin is deeply tied to 'avasi' or kinship groups, meaning your 'tausoga' is often treated more like a sibling than a distant relative.
Examples in context
- O ia o la'u tausoga.He is my cousin.
- E tele lava au tausoga.I have many cousins.
Example conversation
Mere and Tasi are looking at a family photo.
- MereO ai lenei tausoga i le ata?Who is this cousin in the photo?
- TasiO lo'u tausoga lea e maua i Suva.That is my cousin who lives in Suva.
- MereE foliga mai e pei o oe.He looks just like you.
- TasiAe e sili atu ona tino.But he is taller than me.
