First of our Tongan slang series: Tamani comes from the word Tama = child or boy and Tama’ni meaning this boy. In slang however it is used as an interjection that means oh boy, man! wow, gee. An interjection is an abrupt remark or a side interruption. Or an exclamation esp. as a part of speech, e.g., ah! or dear me!.

I’ve always used the shorter version of tamani which is simply mani and I often say mani ē followed by a whole lot of laughter!

• Tamani, faka’ofo’ofa ‘aupito ‘a e kofu ‘o Sinitalela. Man! Cinderella’s dress is beautiful.  
• Mani ē! sio ‘atu ki he fefine’ mo ‘ene vala. Oh wow look at the lady and her clothes.  
• Mani ē te u lua! Oh boy! i’m going to vomit
• Mani ē sio ‘atu ka Mele. Gee! look at Mary.