Useful Phrases

1. Au a cakava na app oqo

   Au a tha-ka-va na app o-ngo

   I made this app

   Usage

   Introduce the app in Fijian

   Grammar Note

   Fijian typically uses VOS order. "Na" is a nominal marker

2. Na app oqo e sega na isau.

   Na app o-ngo e senga na i-sau.

   This app is free

   Usage

   Explain the app is free

   Grammar Note

   "E sega na isau" = "there is no price", i.e. free. "Isau" is the price

3. Tovolea me download

   Please try downloading it

   Usage

   Encourage someone to download the app

   Grammar Note

   Fijian often borrows English words directly for modern concepts

4. Au Japani

   I'm Japanese

   Usage

   Introduce your nationality

   Grammar Note

   Fijian can omit the copula. "Au Japani" = I (am) Japanese. The country name is spelled "Japani"

5. Au dua na vulagi.

   I'm a traveler

   Usage

   Identify yourself as a traveler

   Grammar Note

   "Vulagi" means guest or visitor (one from elsewhere); it also appears in "visa ni vulagi", and a traveler can use it of themselves

6. Au lako duadua.

   I'm traveling alone

   Usage

   Tell others you are traveling solo

   Grammar Note

   "Duadua" means "alone / by oneself". "Vata" means "together", so it is not used for traveling alone

7. Oqo na imatai ni lako mai tiko

   O-ngo na i-ma-tai ni la-ko mai ti-ko

   It's my first time here

   Usage

   Express that this is your first visit

   Grammar Note

   The ordinal "first" is "imatai", with the ai- prefix, the same series as "ikarua" (second). Plain "matai" would mean "a mechanic". The q is [ŋg], so "oqo" sounds like "o-ngo".

8. E rawa ni au taba e dua na iyaloyalo?

   May I take a photo?

   Usage

   Ask for permission to take a photo

   Grammar Note

   "Rawa" expresses ability/permission. "Iyaloyalo" is a picture or image and is used for photos too; plain English "photo" works if it is not understood

9. E rawa ni da taba iyaloyalo vata kece?

   Shall we take a photo together?

   Usage

   Suggest taking a photo together

   Grammar Note

   "Vata" (together) + "kece" (all) = "all together"

10. Kerekere, scan na QR code.

    Please scan the QR code

    Usage

    Ask someone to scan the QR code

    Grammar Note

    "Kerekere" is the Fijian polite request word meaning "please"

11. Kua ni valavala verevere kei au

    Don't cheat me / Stop ripping me off

    Usage

    Used to protest being cheated or overcharged

    Grammar Note

    "Kua ni" is the Fijian prohibitive. "Valavala verevere" refers to dishonest/deceptive behavior

12. Kua ni vakarogorogo vaka-yalewa kei au

    Don't underestimate me / Don't look down on me

    Usage

    Used when someone underestimates or disrespects you

    Grammar Note

    "Vakarogorogo" means to look down on or belittle someone in Fijian

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