Speak Fijian

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. Here’s some handy Fijian words and phrases to help you fit right in. 
 

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. 
 

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’

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.