jema
The Marshallese word for dad is jema.
jema is used to refer to a father in an informal context.
Meaning: informal: a father (noun)
Did you know?
- The kinship system in the Marshall Islands is matrilineal, meaning while you call someone jema, your inheritance and clan identity actually come from your mother.
- Even when calling someone jema, the actual weight of social authority in the household often rests with the maternal aunt.
- The term jema is part of a much larger set of kinship terms where the word for 'father' can change based on the speaker's own gender.
Examples in context
- I̧ jema eo am.He is your dad.
Example conversation
Samuel and Sarah are talking about their father.
- SamuelEwi jema?Where is dad?
- SarahJema e kan iit.Dad is already here.
- SamuelIit jema!That is dad!
- SarahYokwe, jema!Hello, dad!
