Planning a holiday in Fiji? Get ready for sun, sea, and some of the friendliest people around. While English is widely spoken in Fiji, knowing a few Fijian phrases is a fun way to connect with locals. Below you'll find some handy Fijian words and phrases to help you fit right in!
Go with the FamilyGo for the CultureGo for your HealthGo for the Kava!
Welcome to Fiji with a kava ceremony entering villages. From less formal kava ceremonies for guests at some resorts, etiquette demands bringing gifted kava as respect to the village. Traveling with a group, it is prearranged to present kava to the chief and mataqali (village elders)!
Kava Etiquette. SAY "Bula" then clap your hands once before accepting your drink.
. After drinking the cup (bilo) of Kava (one gulp only-no sipping) hand the bowl back to the person who presented it to you and clap with cupped hand three times again. (clapping sound should be hollow, not sharp) . Terms of Endearment: "low tide" - a small cup of Kava; "high tide" - filled cup of Kava. . It is acceptable to decline Kava -put your hand up and shake your head when it is presented to you. It is no insult to your host/no explanation needed. |
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17 Useful Words and Phrases
Fijian Pronunciation: Fiji has over 300 regional dialects, with the Bauan* dialect being the most widely spoken. Here's a quick guide on how to pronounce Fijian words like a local.
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Fijian Alphabet Pronounciation
A is pronounced as ‘ah’ as in ‘car’ E is pronounced as ‘eh’ as in ‘head’ I is pronounced as ‘ee’ as in ‘see’ O is pronounced as ‘oh’ as in ‘or’ U is pronounced as ‘oo’ as in ‘moon’ B has a subtle ‘m’ sound before the ‘b’ sound, ‘mb’ like in ‘bamboo’ C Is pronounced ‘th’ as in ‘thanks’ D has a slight ‘n’ sound before the ‘d’ sound, similar to ‘sand’ G is pronounced as ‘ng’ as in ‘rang’ Q A noticeable ‘g’ sound, as in ‘angry’ * The Bauan dialect, Eastern Fijian language is spoken on Bau, a very small island off the south-east coast of Vitilevu (main island of Fiji), almost entirely occupied by three villages (Bau, Soso, Lasakau) - a total population of less than 1,000.
Now that you’ve got the basics, give these common and useful Fijian words and phrases a try! Category Word/ Phrase Word & Pronunuciation Meaning Grettings: -Hello Bula (mm-boo-lah) Meaning ‘hello’, Bula is a wish for ‘life’ and ‘good health’ and can be used at any time of the day. -Good morning Yadra (Yahn-drah) Say this instead of Bula if you meet someone in the morning. -Goodbye Moce (moh-theh) Use to farewell someone in Fijian. It can also mean ‘to sleep’. -See you again! Sota tale (So-tah Tah-leh) A common farewell expression if you’re plannning to meet the person again. |
Basic Etiquette
-Please Kerekere (Keh-reh-keh-reh) Use to politely request someone’s help or to use something. -Thank you Vinaka (vee-nah-kah) Meaning "thank you." A simple must-know for showing appreciation. -Excuse me Tulou (too-low) Respectfully bow your head, stoop slightly and say this when passing someone in a house or crowded space. Common Phrases -Yes Io (‘ee-oh’) Meaning yes – a simple but useful word -No Sega (Seng-ah) Meaning ‘no’- a simple but useful word Introductions - My name is…Na yacaqu o (Nah yah-tha-goo- or) Add your name to the end of this phrase. Eg. If your name is John, say "Na yacaqu o John." - I’m from… O au mai… (O-yau-my) Add the name of your country to the end of this phrase. Eg. If you’re from Australia, say “O au mai Australia” Common Questions and Statements Where is..? I vei na…? (E-vey-nah) A handy phrase to use when you want to know where something or someone is. -What’s this? A cava qo? (Ah thah-vah-goh?) Say this phrase and point to something close to you that you want to know the name of. -How much..? E vica (E vi-tha?) - I want to go… Au via lako… (ow vee-ah lah-koh) Add the name of a place at the end of this phrase. -Town: Tauni -Store: Sitoa Exclamations -Excellent! Wananavu! (wah-na-na-voo) Say this to express that you are pleased with something. -Beautiful Totoka! (Toh-toh-kah) Say this to describe something that you think is pretty or beautiful (eg, view, dress, girl etc). -No worries Sega na leqa! (Seh-gha na le-ga) Meaning all is well or no worries. Just enjoy the moment. Go ahead…start with Bula and you are guaranteed to make a new Fijian friend. |
