tinamatua
The Samoan word for grandmother is tinamatua.
The term tinamatua is used to refer to a grandmother, specifically the mother of one's parent.
Meaning: mother of someone's parent (noun)
Did you know?
- The word tinamatua combines tina meaning 'mother' and matua meaning 'parent' or 'elder'. This reflects a culture that views the grandmother as the primary elder mother.
- In Samoan culture, addressing an elder like a grandmother by their name is often considered disrespectful, so the term tinamatua or other kinship terms are used as a form of social glue.
- In some traditional Samoan structures, the grandmother holds a pivotal role as the keeper of genealogy and oral history for the entire aiga.
Example conversation
Mere and Manu are looking at a family photo album.
- MereO ai lea o le tinamatua?Who is this grandmother?
- ManuO lo'u tinamatua lea, Mere.That is my grandmother, Mere.
- MereE matagofie tele o ia.She is very beautiful.
- ManuFa'afetai, e lelei tele o ia.Thank you, she is very kind.
