Numbers

1. Dua

   Ndu-a

   1 (one)

   Usage

   The number 1. "d"="nd" so "dua"="n-dua".

   Grammar Note

   Fijian numbers share Polynesian roots: dua(1), rua(2), tolu(3), va(4), lima(5). Cognate with Hawaiian, Maori, and other Pacific languages.

2. Rua

   Ru-a

   2 (two)

   Usage

   The number 2. "Rua" is cognate with Maori "rua" and Hawaiian "lua" — all Polynesian.

   Grammar Note

   "Rua" is cognate with Polynesian "rua"; both are inherited from Proto-Oceanic. This root for "2" is widespread across Pacific island languages.

3. Tolu

   To-lu

   3 (three)

   Usage

   The number 3. Cognate with Maori "toru", Hawaiian "ekolu", Tongan "tolu".

   Grammar Note

   "Tolu" is cognate with Polynesian "tolu"; both are inherited from Proto-Oceanic. Fijian is not descended from Proto-Polynesian: it belongs to the Central Pacific branch of the Oceanic languages.

4. Va

   4 (four)

   Usage

   The number 4. Short and simple. Cognate with Maori "whā" and Hawaiian "'ehā".

   Grammar Note

   "Va" is cognate with Polynesian "fa" (Proto-Polynesian "*fa"). The difference between Polynesian "f" and Fijian "v" comes from sound changes in the individual languages.

5. Lima

   Li-ma

   5 (five)

   Usage

   The number 5. "Lima" also means "hand" — five fingers = five, a common human counting concept.

   Grammar Note

   "Lima" (5/hand) is a root shared across Austronesian languages.

6. Ono

   O-no

   6 (six)

   Usage

   The number 6. Cognate with Maori "ono" and Hawaiian "'eono".

   Grammar Note

   Fijian "ono" for 6. The "ono" form for 6 is consistent across Polynesian languages.

7. Vitu

   Vi-tu

   7 (seven)

   Usage

   The number 7. Cognate with Maori "whitu" and Hawaiian "'ehiku".

   Grammar Note

   Cognate with Polynesian "fitu" (Proto-Polynesian "*fitu"). The difference between Polynesian "f" and Fijian "v" comes from sound changes in the individual languages.

8. Walu

   Wa-lu

   8 (eight)

   Usage

   The number 8. Cognate with Maori "waru".

   Grammar Note

   Cognate with Polynesian "walu" (Proto-Polynesian "*walu"); both are inherited from Proto-Oceanic. Preserved in the same form "walu" in Fijian.

9. Ciwa

   Thi-wa

   9 (nine)

   Usage

   The number 9. "c"="th" so "ciwa"="thi-wa".

   Grammar Note

   "c"="th" so "ciwa"="thi-wa". Cognate with Polynesian "siwa" (Proto-Polynesian "*siwa"). The "s→c(th)" correspondence reflects a sound change in Fijian.

10. Tini

    Ti-ni

    10 (ten)

    Usage

    The number 10. This form differs from Maori "tekau" and Hawaiian "'umi"; the word for 10 varies widely across Pacific languages.

    Grammar Note

    "Tini" is a native Fijian word for "10". It resembles English "ten" in sound but is not a borrowing.

11. Drau

    Ndrau

    100 (one hundred)

    Usage

    The number 100. "d"="nd" so "drau"="n-drau".

    Grammar Note

    "Drau" means one hundred. Commonly used when discussing prices in Fijian dollars (FJD).

12. Udolu

    U-ndo-lu

    1000 (one thousand)

    Usage

    The number 1000. "d"="nd" so "udolu"="u-n-do-lu".

    Grammar Note

    "Udolu" = one thousand. Used for higher-value prices in Fiji (resort stays, diving packages, etc.).

13. E ruasagavulu ka vitu na noqu yabaki

    E ru-a-sa-nga-vu-lu ka vi-tu na no-ngu ya-mba-ki

    I'm 27 years old

    Usage

    How to answer with your age. Swap the number to give any other age.

    Grammar Note

    Numbers in the twenties are "ruasagavulu" (20) + "ka" + the unit. "g" = "ng", "b" = "mb", "q" = "ngg", so "ruasagavulu" = "ru-a-sa-nga-vu-lu" and "yabaki" = "ya-mba-ki". "Yabaki" = year, "noqu" = my.

14. Ena yabaki oqo, e ruasagavulu ka walu na noqu yabaki

    E-na ya-mba-ki o-ngo, e ru-a-sa-nga-vu-lu ka wa-lu na no-ngu ya-mba-ki

    I turn 28 this year

    Usage

    Saying what age you will reach this year — useful for visa or insurance questions.

    Grammar Note

    "This X" is formed by placing "oqo" after the noun (na vanua oqo = this place). The time phrase is fronted with the preposition "ena". "Yabaki" serves for both "year" and "age", so it appears twice in the sentence.

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