Basic Nouns

1. Na wai

   Water

   Usage

   Ask for drinking water; pair it with “bottle” if you want sealed water

   Grammar Note

   Fijian nouns are learned with the specific article "na"; an indefinite is "e dua na …" (a …).

2. Na kakana

   Food

   Usage

   The general word for food; useful when hunting for somewhere to eat

3. Na ilavo

   Money

   Usage

   The base word for paying and changing currency

4. Na vale lailai

   Toilet

   Usage

   Combine it with the “where” question

5. Na pepa qusi

   Tissue

   Usage

   Many toilets have no paper — use this word to buy some

   Grammar Note

   "Pepa qusi" means "wiping paper."

6. Na wainimate

   Medicine

   Usage

   At a pharmacy; combine it with gestures for your symptom

7. Na iyaya

   Luggage

   Usage

   For checking in, carrying on, or reporting lost bags

   Grammar Note

   "Iyaya" is the native word for belongings and luggage in general.

8. Na ki

   Key

   Usage

   At hotel reception when collecting or returning it

9. Na tikiti

   Ticket

   Usage

   Covers both transport tickets and admission tickets

10. Na pasipoti

    Passport

    Usage

    Comes up at check-in, currency exchange, and any police check

11. Na talevoni

    Phone

    Usage

    When you need to borrow one or ask for a number

12. Na ivakacaka ni talevoni

    Charger

    Usage

    To borrow one at a hotel or café, or buy one in a shop

    Grammar Note

    "Ivakacaka ni talevoni" is a descriptive phrase, "the thing that makes the phone work"; English "charger" is understood too.

13. Na sitesini

    Station

    Usage

    A landmark word when asking for directions

    Grammar Note

    A loan from English "station"; with almost no railways in Fiji it means a bus stand.

14. Na valenibula

    Hospital

    Usage

    The first word you need if you fall ill

15. Na ovisa

    Police

    Usage

    For theft or accidents; combine it with “where?”

16. Na sitoa

    Shop

    Usage

    When looking for somewhere to buy something

17. Na rumu

    Room

    Usage

    Use it when asking a hotel about vacancies

18. Na gaunisala

    Road

    Usage

    The base word when asking the way

19. Na matavuvale

    Family

    Usage

    A guaranteed small-talk topic; showing photos goes a long way

    Grammar Note

    When saying "we" in Fijian you must choose between inclusive "keda" (you included) and exclusive "keimami"; a traveller speaking of their own party uses "keimami."

20. Na yaca

    Name

    Usage

    For introductions and for giving your name at a counter

21. Na ulu

    Head

    Usage

    Point at it to show where it hurts

22. Na mata

    Eye

    Usage

    Point at it to show an eye problem

23. Na bati

    Tooth

    Usage

    Point at it to show a toothache

24. Na domo

    Throat

    Usage

    Point at the throat; "domo" also means neck and voice

25. Na kete

    Stomach / belly

    Usage

    Point at it to show stomach pain

26. Na daku

    Back

    Usage

    Point at it to show back pain

27. Na yava

    Leg / foot

    Usage

    Point at it to show leg or foot pain; gesture at your own body for the exact spot

28. Na liga

    Hand / arm

    Usage

    "Liga" covers both hand and arm

29. Na daliga

    Ear

    Usage

    Point at it to show an ear problem

30. Na duru

    Knee

    Usage

    Point at it to show knee pain

31. Na kuli

    Skin

    Usage

    Show a rash or other skin trouble

32. Na ucu

    Nose

    Usage

    Point at it to show a nose problem

33. Na dra

    Blood

    Usage

    Use when reporting bleeding

34. Na sui

    Bone

    Usage

    Use when you suspect a broken bone

35. Na rara ni waqavuka

    Airport

    Usage

    Point at it to show a taxi where to go

36. Na makete

    Market

    Usage

    Point at it to show where you are going

37. Na banka

    Bank

    Usage

    Point at it to show where you are going

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