whānau

See also: whanau

English

Noun

whānau (usually uncountable, plural whānau or whānaus)

1. (New Zealand) Alternative spelling of whanau.

Maori

Etymology

Proto-Polynesian *faanau (*fānau) ("to give birth"). Cognates include Hawaiian hānau and Tokelauan fānau.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈfaːnaʉ/, /ˈɸaːnaʉ/

Verb

whānau

1. to give birth
2. to be born

Noun

whānau

1. an extended family; a group of family members

Descendants

• → English: whanau

References

• "FAANAU" - Polynesian Lexicon Project Online