tina
/ˈti.na/
The Fijian word for mother is tina.
The term is used to refer to a female human who gives birth to or parents a child.
Meaning: female (human) who gives birth to or parents a child (noun)
Which one should you use?
Tinā is the general term for mother, while mama is used specifically to mean "mom".
How does it change in a sentence?
To say "my mother", you attach the possessive suffix -qu directly to the end of the word to form tina-qu.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈti.na/ (stress on the first syllable)
Did you know?
- The word tina also means 'breast' or 'chest' in Fijian, reflecting the physical bond of nursing.
- In some communal living arrangements in Fiji, the term tina might be used honorifically for elderly women in the village, even if they are not your biological mother.
- The way someone says 'mother' in Fiji can signal their ethnic background, as iTaukei and Indo-Fijian communities often use different terms based on their heritage.
Examples in context
- Na tina-qu sa lako ki na makete.My mother went to the market.This sentence shows how to use tina to express possession with the suffix -qu.
- Au lomani iko, mama!I love you, mom!
- Au lomani iko, nanai.I love you, mom.
Example conversation
Jone and Adi are talking about a new baby.
- JoneE tiko na tina ni gone?Is the baby's mother here?
- AdiOqori na tina ni gone, Jone.That is the baby's mother, Jone.
- JoneSa vinaka sara na tina.The mother is very kind.
- AdiIo, sa vinaka na tina.Yes, the mother is good.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “mother” translations and entries tina, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0.
