tuli

Tuli is a term that appears in different languages with distinct meanings. In everyday use, it lacks a single universal definition and is instead a polysemous word in Austronesian languages, notably Malay, Indonesian, and Filipino.

In Indonesian and Malay, tuli means deaf. It functions as both an adjective and a noun; a deaf person is described as orang tuli, and phrases such as pendengaran tuli refer to deafness or hearing impairment.

In Filipino, tuli refers to circumcision, a traditional rite of passage for boys. The noun denotes the act of circumcision, while the verb phrase nagpa-tuli indicates that someone has undergone the procedure. The term is widely understood in everyday speech and in cultural discussions.

Beyond language, Tuli can appear as a proper name, including surnames or place names in different regions, though these uses are unrelated to the linguistic meanings above. When encountering the term, context usually clarifies whether it refers to deafness, circumcision, or a proper noun.