Nature & Outdoors

1. E vinaka sara na kena rairai.

   The view/scenery is very beautiful.

   Usage

   When marveling at the natural beauty of Fiji

   Grammar Note

   "Sara" intensifies adjectives. "Vinaka sara" means "very good/beautiful" — a common expression of admiration.

2. Na Ika e vuqa ena wai.

   Na ika e vunga ena wai.

   There are many fish in the water.

   Usage

   When talking about Fiji's abundant marine life

   Grammar Note

   "Ena" is a locative preposition meaning "in/at." "E vuqa ena wai" means "is/are many in the water."

3. Au via raica na cakau.

   I want to see the coral reef.

   Usage

   When wanting to observe coral reefs while snorkeling or diving

   Grammar Note

   "Cakau" is the reef that rings Fiji, known for some of the world's finest coral. The earlier "davui" is the conch-shell trumpet

4. E vinaka na wasawasa.

   The sea/ocean is beautiful.

   Usage

   When admiring the beautiful sea in Fiji

   Grammar Note

   Hazlewood glosses wasa as the sea or ocean and states the rule: wasa when a defining word such as liwa or levu follows, wasawasa when none does — so wasawasa here. The same entry explains waitui as salt water. The old toba is glossed "a bay or gulf", the opposite of open ocean.

5. E tiko e vei na manumanu vuka?

   Where are the birds?

   Usage

   When looking for birds during birdwatching or nature observation

   Grammar Note

   "Manumanu" means animals in general, and narrowly birds (see the Animals category). Adding "vuka" (to fly) makes it clearly "flying creatures", i.e. birds. Ask where with "E tiko e vei na …?".

6. Na veikau e levu.

   The forest is very large.

   Usage

   When talking about Fiji's tropical rainforest

   Grammar Note

   "Levu" (big/great) is a versatile adjective in Fijian. It also appears in "Viti Levu" (Great Fiji), the name of the main island.

7. Au via kila na yaca ni kau oqo.

   I want to know the name of this tree.

   Usage

   When asking about the name/species of a plant

   Grammar Note

   "Kau" covers tree/wood/plant/herb in Fijian. "Yaca ni" (name of) combines "yaca" (name) with the genitive particle "ni."

8. Na uca e a dokadoka.

   It rained heavily.

   Usage

   When talking about heavy tropical rain

   Grammar Note

   "Dokadoka" is an adjective describing intensity of rain, wind, etc. Reduplication often expresses emphasis in Fijian. Rain is uca; the earlier "ua" means "wave / tide"

9. E vinaka na mataka oqo.

   This morning is beautiful/nice.

   Usage

   When commenting on a beautiful morning

   Grammar Note

   "Mataka oqo" (this morning) uses the proximal demonstrative "oqo" (this) to refer to the present time.

10. Au via snorkel ena lagoon.

    I want to snorkel in the lagoon.

    Usage

    When wanting to enjoy snorkeling in Fiji's beautiful lagoon

    Grammar Note

    Snorkel and lagoon are used in English in tourist settings, so they are kept as English words ("sikova" means "to visit"; "waitui" is salt water).

Browse all TravelPhrases languages