Aman/Apa = father. You will hear that some people in Dili might say Apa or Mama or Mae because of Portuguese influence, but the original Tetum is Aman and Inan.
Inan= mother
Fen = Wife
Laen = Husband
Feto = Girl
Mane = Boy
For animals: Inan = Female
Aman = Male
Oan = son/daughter eg. John iha oan lima = John has 5 childern.
Oan feto = daughter eg. John iha oan feto rua = John has 2 duaghters
Oan mane = son eg. John iha oan mane ida = John has one son.
Oan Hakiak = Adopted son/daughter
Labarik = children
Bebe = baby
In English there are only two words to describe brother and sister’s relationships. In Tetum we have three words : Maun = brother, Bin = sister and Alin = broter/sister.
Maun = brother. If you call your siblings Maun means that he was born before you and can only apply to boys. For example, John is the first son and Peter is the second son so Petar will cal John Maun.
Maun kiik = younger brother – if Peter has another brother before him let say Markus, Peter will call Markus as Maun Kiik and John Maun Boot.
Bin = sister – if you call your siblings Bin means that she was born before you. For example, if there is a girl after Peter eg. Maria then Markus will call Maria as Bin and Peter and John will call Maria as Alin Feto.
Bin boot = older sister
Bin kiik = younger sister
Alin = younger sister/brother – if you call your siblings Alin means that he/she was born after you and applies for both girls and boys.
Alin mane = younger brother
Alin feto = younger sister
Primo = cousin for boys
Prima = cousin for girls
Katuas = old men
Ferik = old women
Avo/Bei = grandmother/grandfather - Avo is a Portuguese word. The original Tetum is Bei.
Avo feto = grandmother
Avo mane = grandfather
Aman Banin = father in law
Inan Banin = mother in law
Mane foun = son in law
Feto foun = daughter in law
Rian/kuinado = brother in law. Rian is the original Tetum and kuinado is Portuguese. You will hear both words in daily conversation.
Kuinada/Bae = sister in law. Bae is the original Tetum word and kuinada is Portuguese.
Tio/Nai-Tua = uncle - Tio is a Portuguese word and Nai-tua is the original Tetum word same applies to tia.
Tia /Baba = aunty
Kaben nain = married
Klosan = single young men and women
Feto klosan = single women
Mane klosan = single men