Family & Pronouns
How to address family members and use basic pronouns.
Addressing family correctly is very important in Mara culture. Let’s learn the terms for immediate family and the pronouns to use with them.
Personal Pronouns (My / Na)
| English | Mara (Short) | Mara (Emphatic) |
|---|---|---|
| I / Me | Ei | Keima |
| You | Nâ | Nangma |
| He / She | Ama | Ama |
| We | Eima | Eima |
| They | Âmo | Âmo |
Note: In sentences, you often use the short forms like Ei (I) and Nâ (You).
Family Members (Chhâhkha)
| Role | Mara | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Father | Paw | Ei paw (My father) |
| Mother | Nô | Ei nô (My mother) |
| Grandfather | Puh | Ei puh (My grandfather) |
| Grandmother | Pi | Ei pi (My grandmother) |
| Elder Brother | U | Ei u (My eider brother) |
| Elder Sister | U | Ei u (My older sister) |
| Younger Sibling | Nau | Ei nau (My younger sibling) |
Simple Sentences
- He he ei paw a châ. (This is my father.)
- Keima ei moh cha John. (My name is John.)
- Nâ nô a tlâh ma? (Is your mother well?)
Cultural Tip
It is polite to address elders by their title (e.g., Puh or Pi) rather than just their name.
Practice
- Point to a photo of a family member and say who they are using “He he [Relationship] a châ”.
- Ask a friend “Nâ paw a tlâh ma?” (Is your father well?)