Fijian Dictionary
Bula! By now you’ve committed this word to memory. Browse through the mini dictionary below to find other useful phrases and vocabulary to use on your visit to the Fiji islands. The lists are arranged by category for your browsing convenience. But first, here’s a pronunciation guide:
Vowels:
The Fijian a is pronounced like the a in “father”
The Fijian e is pronounced like the e in “bait”
The Fijian i is pronounced like the i in “beat”
The Fijian o is pronounced like the o in “boat”
The Fijian u is pronounced like the u in “boot”
Consonants:
The letter b is often pronounced mb (Bure is “mBure”)
The letter d is pronounced nd ( Nadi is “Nandi”)
The letter q is pronounced ng (Beqa Island is “Benga Island”)
The letter c is pronounced d th (Caneili is “Thaneili”)
Early Days/Getting Around:
Hello - Bula or Ni Sa Bula or Bula Vinaka
Good morning - Yadra or Ni sa yadra
Goodnight or Goodbye - Moce or Ni sa moce (pronounced “mothe”)
Pleased to meet you - Ia (ni) bula
How are you? - O sa lako ki vei?
What’s your name? - O cei na yacamu(ni)?
Where are you from? - O ni lako mai vei? or O kemuni mai vei?
I’m from… - Au lako mai...
Fiji - Viti
Where’s the toilet? - E vei na vale-lailai?
How much is this? - E vica na kena i-sau?
What’s the time now? - Savica (pronounced "savitha") ma ka loko
Thank you – Vinaka or Vinaka vaka levu
I don’t understand - E sega ni macala
Excuse me (as you pass by someone) – Chillow
Please – Kere kere
Yes – Io (ee-o)
No – Sega (sang-a)
See you again (respectful) - Ni Sa Moce
Food and Drink
Let’s eat – Kana
Food - Kakana (ka-kah-na)
Banana – Vudi
Fish – Ika
Coconut – Niu
Drink - Gunu
Beer – Bia
Numbers
Zero – saiva
One – Dua (n-dua)
Two – Rua
Three – Tolu
Four – Va
Five – Lima
Six – Ono
Seven – Vitu
Eight – Walu
Nine – Ciwa
Ten – Tina
People
My girlfriend/boyfriend/partner – No qu Itau
Wife – Watiqu
Husband – Daulomani
Son – Luvequ tagane
Daughter – Luvequ yalewa
Father – Tata
Mother – Nana
Elder brother – Tuakaqu tagane
Younger brother – Taciqu tagane
Elder sister – Tuakaqu yalewa
Younger sister – Taciqu yalewa
Other Useful Phrases
Smile (for the camera) – Dredre (pronounced ndrendre)
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year - Me Nomuni na marau ni siga ni sucu dei na yabaki vou
Would you like to join me? - Kedere rawa ni lako vata
Could you go now? – Iko sa rawa ni lako
I am hot – Au katakata
I like you – Au vine kati iko
I am hungry – Au sa via kana
I am thirsty – Au sa via gunu
I am sleepy – Au sa via moce
I’m happy – Au maru
No worries – Sega na lega
Water-related Words
Sea – Waitui
River – Wai
Rapids (on the river) – Dunuti (pronounced "moonti")
Where two rivers meet – Namuamua
Waterfall – Savu
Water taxi – Idini cavu
I want to swim / We want to swim - Au via sisili / Keitou via sisili
Miscellaneous
Taxi – Taxi
Cigarette – Tavako
Dancing – Vunde
Church – Lotu
House – Vale
Laugh – Veiwali