Learn the names of family members, relatives, and community members in Tiv and English. This lesson helps preserve Tiv language and culture while building practical vocabulary for everyday communication.
Family is at the centre of Tiv life. Society is organised around lineages that trace descent through the father, while close ties are kept with the mother's family. So knowing the words for relatives is not only useful vocabulary: it is the language people use to place themselves and others in the community.
Words that carry more than one meaning
Some Tiv family words cover a wider group than their nearest English equivalent. A word for "brother" or "sister" may also be used for cousins and other relatives of the same generation, and words for "father" and "mother" can be used respectfully for older people in the family and community. When you learn a family word, notice who it can refer to, as well as its closest English translation. The marriage customs section explains how family and lineage shape Tiv life.
How to practise
Draw your own family tree and label each person with the Tiv word for their relationship to you. Then describe it aloud, starting with your parents and working outwards. The tables below list family and community words from the archive's dictionary. Look any of them up in the dictionary for the full entry, with examples where they are recorded.
Family
| Tiv | English |
|---|---|
| ter | father |
| ngô | mother |
| mbamaren | parents |
| ormaren | parent |
| nom | male, husband |
| kwase | woman, wife |
| aningbian u nomso | brother |
| aningbian u kwase | sister |
| angôm u nomso | brother (informal) |
| angôm u kwase | sister (informal) |
| aya | grandma |
| kazen | cousin |
| ahina | twin |
People in the community
| Tiv | English |
|---|---|
| ikar | friend |
| ior | people |
| kpamor | leader, person of authority |
| jooji | judge |
| injinia | engineer |
| kemesi | chemist |
| deraba | driver |
| aketo | actor |
These tables are drawn from the archive's own records. If you spot a mistake, please tell us through the contribution form.
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