Money & Exchange

1. E vica na lavo?

   How much does it cost?

   Usage

   The most basic phrase for asking the price

   Grammar Note

   "E vica" is an interrogative for quantity. "Lavo" is the general Fijian word for money/currency.

2. E tiko e vei na ATM?

   Where is the ATM?

   Usage

   When looking for an ATM to withdraw cash

   Grammar Note

   "ATM" is used as an English acronym in Fijian. The Fijian dollar (FJD) is the local currency.

3. Au via veisautaka na lavo.

   I want to exchange money.

   Usage

   When exchanging foreign currency at a bureau or bank

   Grammar Note

   "Veisautaka na lavo" means "to change money", i.e. exchange currency (the same form appears in the Casino & Gambling category). "Soli" means "to give", so "soli lavo" would be "give money away".

4. Au na sauma.

   I will pay.

   Usage

   When offering or indicating you will pay

   Grammar Note

   To pay is "sauma" (e.g. "e dodonu mo sauma na freight" = "you should pay for the freight"). "Na" is the future particle, so "Au na sauma" = "I will pay". "Rawata" means "to obtain / be able to", and "Au sega ni rawata na lavo oqo" = "I cannot manage this amount" (e.g. "Sa cecere, au sa sega ni rawata" = "Too high, I am not able for it").

5. E rawa ni au sauma ena credit card?

   Is a credit card accepted?

   Usage

   When checking if credit card payment is possible

   Grammar Note

   "Credit card" is used as an English loan phrase. English is widely spoken in Fiji's resort and tourism areas.

6. Au via rawata na risiti.

   I want a receipt.

   Usage

   When requesting a receipt after a purchase

   Grammar Note

   "Au via …" is the standard "I want to …" frame. The word for a receipt is "risiti" (from English; also spelled rasiti, resiti). "Isivi" means spade or shovel, and "kuria" means "to add to, follow", so neither is used for a receipt or for "to ask for".

7. E vinaka vakalevu na isau.

   The price is very good (reasonable).

   Usage

   When expressing satisfaction with a good price

   Grammar Note

   "Isau" is the native Fijian word for "price/cost." "Vakalevu" (very much) intensifies the adjective "vinaka" (good).

8. Au sega ni rawata na lavo oqo.

   I cannot pay this amount.

   Usage

   When indicating the price is too high and you cannot pay

   Grammar Note

   "Oqo" is the proximal demonstrative (this). In Fijian, "q" is pronounced as a prenasalized velar stop "ng/ŋ."

9. E sega na isau ni gone.

   There is no charge for children.

   Usage

   When informing that children enter for free

   Grammar Note

   "E sega" is the negative existential "there is not," forming the negative of "e tiko" (there is).

10. Au via rawata na change.

    I want change (the remainder).

    Usage

    When asking for change after a payment

    Grammar Note

    "Change" is borrowed from English and is the everyday term. "Rawata" means "to obtain / get".

11. E sau levu sara

    That is too expensive

    Usage

    Use when bargaining

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