Family and Relationships
Learn about family and relationships in Tetum language
Module 2: Family and Relationships
Skill 1 – Family members Vocabulary
Family is an important part of Timorese culture, and many daily conversations involve talking about family members. In Tetum, different words are used depending on age, gender, and relationship.
This lesson will help you:
- Identify key family member terms.
- Use them correctly in sentences.
- Recognize cultural importance of family in greetings and conversations.
2. Vocabulary
| Tetum | English Translation | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Aman | Father | Biological or adopted father |
| Inan | Mother | Biological or adopted mother |
| Maun | Older brother | Used for older male siblings |
| Biin | Older sister | Used for older female siblings |
| Alin | Younger sibling | Used for both younger brothers and sisters |
| Kaben | Spouse / Married | Refers to marriage or spouse |
| Oan | Child / Son/Daughter | Can also mean "offspring" |
3. Examples
Example 1 – Talking about parents
| Tetum | English |
|---|---|
| Hau-nia aman naran João | My father's name is João |
| Hau-nia inan naran Maria | My mother's name is Maria |
| Hau-nia maun naran Antonio | My older brother's name is Antonio |
| Hau-nia biin naran Ana | My older sister's name is Ana |
| Hau-nia alin naran Mario | My younger sibling's name is Mario |
Example 2 – Talking about siblings
Tetum: Hau-nia maun servisu iha eskola.
English: My older brother works at the school.
Example 3 – Talking about children
| Tetum | English |
|---|---|
| Hau iha oan rua | I have two children |
| ha'u iha oan-feto ida | I have a daughter |
| Hau iha oan-mane ida | I have a son |
4. Practice
A. Fill in the blanks:
- Hau-nia inan naran______. (My mother's name is Maria)
- Hau-nia ______ servisu iha loja. (My older sister works at the shop)
- Hau iha ______ ida. (I have a son)
B. Translate to Tetum:
- My father's name is José.
- My younger brother studies at the university.
- I have two children.
5. Answer Key & Explanation
A. Fill in the blanks
- Inan → "Hau-nia Inan naran Maria." = "My mother's name is Maria."
- Biin → "Hau-nia Bin servisu iha loja." = "My older sister works at the shop."
- oan → "Hau iha Oan ida." = "I have one child."
B. Translation
- Hau-nia Aman naran José.
- Hau-nia Alin estuda iha universidade.
- Ha'u iha oan na'in tolu.
Explanation:
- Tetum uses specific words for older/younger siblings (maun, biin, alin).
- Oan can mean "child" in general.
- Family is often mentioned with respect in conversation, reflecting Timorese culture.