Adjectives

1. Levu

   Big

   Usage

   For asking for another size; use it with a gesture

2. Lailai

   Small

   Usage

   For describing clothing or room size

3. Bibi

   Heavy

   Usage

   For excess baggage, or asking someone to lift something

4. Mamada

   Light (weight)

   Usage

   About weight only — in many languages this is a different word from “bright”

   Grammar Note

   "Mamada" is light in weight, the opposite of "bibi."

5. Sau levu

   Expensive

   Usage

   The opening move in a haggle; pair it with a face

6. Sau lailai

   Cheap

   Usage

   For asking whether a cheaper option exists

7. Katakata

   Hot (thing)

   Usage

   About food, drink, or water — not the same word as hot weather

   Grammar Note

   "Katakata" is a hot object; hot weather is "sa katakata na draki."

8. Batabata

   Cold (thing)

   Usage

   About drinks and food — not the same word as cold weather

9. Vou

   New

   Usage

   For checking whether something is unused

10. Makawa

    Old (thing)

    Usage

    For objects only; used of people it is rude in many languages

    Grammar Note

    "Makawa" is for objects; for people use the respectful "qase."

11. Cauravou

    Young

    Usage

    About a person’s age; a small-talk word

    Grammar Note

    "Cauravou" is a young man; a young woman is "goneyalewa."

12. Qase

    Old (person)

    Usage

    The dedicated word for people; pick the respectful one

    Grammar Note

    "Qase" respectfully denotes an elder and is used for village leaders.

13. Savasava

    Clean

    Usage

    For a clean room or clean water; for a beautiful view use "totoka"

14. Duka

    Dirty

    Usage

    Useful when asking to change rooms

15. Vinaka

    Good

    Usage

    The all-purpose word for agreement and approval

    Grammar Note

    "Vinaka" means both "good" and "thank you"; to thank someone emphatically say "vinaka vakalevu."

16. Ca

    Bad

    Usage

    For saying that your health or an item’s quality is poor

17. Voleka

    Near

    Usage

    For checking whether somewhere is within walking distance

18. Yawa

    Far

    Usage

    Tells you whether you need transport

19. Taumada

    Early

    Usage

    About clock time; in many languages a different word from “fast”

    Grammar Note

    "Taumada" means early or beforehand; fast in speed is "totolo."

20. Bera

    Late

    Usage

    About clock time; in many languages a different word from “slow”

    Grammar Note

    "Bera" is being late; slow in speed is "vakamalua."

21. Vuqa

    Many

    Usage

    About quantity or how crowded somewhere is

    Grammar Note

    "Vuqa" expresses quantity, distinct from "levu" (big).

22. Vica ga

    Few

    Usage

    Also useful for asking for a smaller portion

23. Sa katakata na draki

    Hot (weather)

    Usage

    About the weather — a different word from a hot object

24. Sa batabata na draki

    Cold (weather)

    Usage

    About the weather — a different word from a cold object

25. Totoka

    Cute

    Usage

    Used for people and things; closer to "beautiful/lovely"

26. Vinaka

    Delicious

    Usage

    The word you will reach for most often at the table; the all-purpose word for "good" extended to food

27. E dua tale

    One more

    Usage

    Ask for one more of something

28. Vakalailai

    Just a little

    Usage

    Ask for only a small amount

29. Kece

    All

    Usage

    Say you want all of it

30. Sa rauta

    That is enough

    Usage

    Say stop when someone is serving you

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