tamai
The Tongan word for dad is tamai.
tamai is an informal noun used to refer to a father.
Meaning: informal: a father (noun)
Did you know?
- In traditional Tongan society, the father's role is often tied to the 'fahu' system, where a paternal aunt may actually hold a higher rank than the father himself.
- The Tongan language uses a complex system of respect called 'faka'apa'apa', which means you might use different, more formal versions of words when speaking to a high-ranking father or chief.
- Tongan is a Polynesian language, meaning tamai shares a distant ancestral root with words for 'father' or 'parent' in Hawaiian and Maori.
Example conversation
Mele is asking Viliami about his father.
- MeleʻOku nai tamai?Is dad here?
- ViliamiʻIkai, ʻoku ʻi hē tamai.No, dad is over there.
- MeleʻOku fakaʻamu tamai?Is dad waiting?
- ViliamiʻIo, ʻoku ne fakaʻamu.Yes, he is waiting.
