Festivals & Events

1. Ia mada na soli ni marau!

   Ia manda na soli ni marau

   Happy celebration!

   Usage

   Greet people at Fijian festivals like Diwali or the Hibiscus Festival in Suva

   Grammar Note

   "Na" is the definite article in Fijian. "Soli ni marau" literally means "gift of joy/celebration of happiness."

2. Ena tekivu ena gauna cava na soli?

   E-na te-ki-vu e-na ngau-na tha-va na so-li?

   When does the festival start?

   Usage

   Ask about the start of the Hibiscus Festival or any Fijian celebration

   Grammar Note

   To begin is "tekivu". "Gauna cava" is "what time". "Vakacegu" means "to rest, to breathe", and "evei" asks "where", so neither is used for a time question.

3. E tiko e vei na soli levu?

   E tiko e vei na soli levu

   Where is the main celebration held?

   Usage

   Ask where the Hibiscus Festival in Suva or a local Fijian celebration takes place

   Grammar Note

   "Levu" means "big/main" in Fijian and follows the noun it modifies — noun-adjective order.

4. Au rawa ni vakaitavi ena soli?

   Au rawa ni vakaitavi ena soli

   Can I join the festivities?

   Usage

   Ask to join sevu-sevu welcome ceremonies or kava ceremonies at Fijian festivals

   Grammar Note

   "Rawa ni" expresses ability or permission "can/may." "Au" is the first-person pronoun "I."

5. E cava na kakana vakaiTaukei ena soli oqo?

   E thava na kakana vakaiTaukei ena soli ongo

   What traditional Fijian food is eaten at this festival?

   Usage

   Ask about lovo (earth oven cooking), kokoda (raw fish in coconut cream), or other festival foods

   Grammar Note

   "VakaiTaukei" uses the prefix "vakai-" meaning "in the manner of iTaukei (indigenous Fijians)."

6. E cava na isulu e dodonu me suluma ena soli?

   E thava na isulu e ndondonu me suluma ena soli

   What should I wear to the festival?

   Usage

   Ask about attire — traditional sulu (wraparound skirt) is often worn at Fijian cultural events

   Grammar Note

   "Dodonu" means "correct/appropriate." Fijian uses complex auxiliary chains to express obligation.

7. E tiko na isau ni kena loma?

   E tiko na isau ni kena loma

   Is there an entrance fee?

   Usage

   Ask whether there is an admission charge at the Hibiscus Festival or similar events

   Grammar Note

   "E tiko" expresses existence "there is/are." "Tiko" is a Fijian verb indicating a state of being or presence.

8. Au vinakata me volia e dua na ivakananumi mai na soli.

   Au vinakata me volia e ndua na ivakananumi mai na soli

   I'd like to buy a souvenir from the festival.

   Usage

   Use at festival stalls when looking for masi (tapa cloth) or other Fijian souvenirs

   Grammar Note

   "Vinakata" is a Fijian verb expressing desire. "Me" links it to the following verb as a purposive marker.

9. E cava na itovo vakavanua ena soli oqo?

   E thava na itovo vakavanua ena soli onggo

   What are the traditional customs for this celebration?

   Usage

   Ask about traditions like kava ceremonies, sevu-sevu presentations, or meke dancing

   Grammar Note

   "Vakavanua" means "in the way of the land (village)", i.e. traditional. The prefix "vaka-" means "in the manner of" in Fijian. "Vakaivola" is based on "ivola" (book) and does not mean traditional.

10. Na iloilovi kei na yalo e totoka sara!

    Na iloilovi kei na yalo e totoka sara

    The decorations and atmosphere are so beautiful!

    Usage

    Exclaim at the beautiful hibiscus flower decorations and festive atmosphere

    Grammar Note

    "Sara" is an intensifying adverb meaning "very/completely." It follows "totoka" (beautiful) for emphasis.

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