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