(New Zealand) An ancestor, especially a grandparent, in Maori culture.
(New Zealand) An ancestor, especially a grandparent, in Maori culture.
"tupuna" means: An ancestor, especially a grandparent, in Maori culture.. This is a fairly neutral word with no inherent risk attached. There is no real cause for parental concern; it is descriptive vocabulary rather than something dangerous. If your child uses it, context will usually make the meaning clear. A brief, curious question about where they heard it is generally enough to know whether to follow up.
"tupuna" means: An ancestor, especially a grandparent, in Maori culture.. Register: neutral, standard English, usable in most everyday contexts. Note the regional or dialect label (New Zealand) — usage may sound odd outside that variety. A common non-native mistake is to use the word in the wrong register, or to assume one fixed meaning when it is actually polysemous; always check the surrounding register and the audience before producing it yourself. In formal writing, prefer a neutral synonym or a short descriptive phrase, and use this word only when you have heard or read it being used naturally in a comparable context.
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"tupuna" means: An ancestor, especially a grandparent, in Maori culture.. This is a fairly neutral word with no inherent risk attached. There is no real cause for parental concern; it is descriptive vocabulary rather than something dangerous. If your child uses it, context will usually make the meaning clear. A brief, curious question about where they heard it is generally enough to know whether to follow up.
Slang is read by different audiences for very different reasons. The For parents view re-explains the term in plain, non-judgemental language so a caregiver can understand what their child means without needing the surrounding subculture. The For English learners view focuses on register (when it's safe to use), formal alternatives, and common mistakes — what a textbook won't teach you.
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(NZ) In Maori contexts, the elder brother of a male or the elder sister of a female; also, a same-sex cousin of a more senior branch of the family; loosely, a mentor.
(NZ) In Māori culture, an elder; a respected older person.
(NZ) Genealogy, as a fundamental principle of Māori culture that is critical in establishing one's identity.
(New Zealand) An extended family.
A Māori word for extended family that has become part of everyday New Zealand English. Whanau goes beyond the nuclear family — it includes grandparents, aunties, uncles, cousins, and everyone connected by blood, marriage, or deep community ties. In New Zealand culture, your whanau is your support network, your identity, and your responsibility all rolled into one. The concept emphasises collective wellbeing over individual needs, which is central to Māori values.