Category: Read & Write

  • Know your Tongan: ki (v) kia

    Here is the first of our Thursday Grammar. Do you know the difference between the two words “ki” and “kia”?  Both mean the same English preposition word “to”. Read carefully the information above and fill in the blanks. Is it “ki” or “kia”? ‘Ave _____ Sione. Give it to John. Na’a’ ke lea _____ Mele? Did you talk to Mary?…

  • Best poetic memorial stone: Ko hai au ke u tuhu ki he laʻaá?

    Best poetic memorial stone: Ko hai au ke u tuhu ki he laʻaá?

      “TULOU MOE NGAAHI FĀ KAKALA KO HAI AU KE U TUHU KI HE LAʻAÁ? NE U SILAʻI KOE ʻI HE ʻOLITA PUKE ʻETA FUAKAVA KI HE TAʻENGATA” This has to be the most beautiful poetic memorial stone/ bench I have come across. Ok some background knowledge you may need in understanding the beauty of…

  • Sunday School questions: Fehu‘i mo e tali

    Sunday School questions: Fehu‘i mo e tali

    One of the few memories I have of Sunday school back in the Kingdom is the fehu’i mo e tali that kids learn at Siasi Tonga Tau’ataina. I loved hearing it because the answers were always said back in a tune chant like manner which made it easy for kids to learn off by heart. Here…

  • A Royal visit: 3 lessons to learn

    A Royal visit: 3 lessons to learn

      On the 15th of March, I as a student and a parent of two joined the Tongan Language School here in Sydney to welcom the daughter of King Tupou VI, Princess Angelika Lātūpfuipeka to our School.  So what! What is all the fuss about you say? Well 3 Tongan words sum up the significance of this…

  • Talamonū: Tongan Christmas Greetings

    Talamonū: Tongan Christmas Greetings

    ‘Oku ‘oatu ‘ae popoaki talamonū faka kilisimasi ko eni kiate kimoutolu kotoa pe ʻi he tapa ʻo e koloape. ‘Ofa ke mou ma’u ha Kilisimasi fiefia mo faka’ofo’ofa ‘o hangē ko ho’omou feitu’u faka’ofo’ofa pea tauange ke tau ‘inasi ‘i he fiefia tatau ʻi hono fakamanatua ‘o e ‘aho ‘Alo’i. ‘Ofa lahi atu meiate au Hema Fifita…

  • ‘Oiaue ‘Ana Latu lyrics

    There are not many children’s lullabies in the Tongan language. This probably has to do with the old traditional attitude that kids should be seen but not heard. ‘Ana Latu is the closest one I could think which is a well known children’s lullaby a lot of mother’s sing to their kids. But if you…

  • 5 ways to say the Tongan letter F

    5 ways to say the Tongan letter F: FA-FE-FI-FO-FU Tongan is a phonetic language – say it the way you read it. Take your ʻEnglish languageʼ hat off when you are learning Tongan. There are no silent letters, therefore do not get caught up by second guessing yourself about how to pronounce each letter. Remember…

  • Lords Prayer in Tongan

    http://youtu.be/n-0TNBiQ9y8 Iʼm currently teaching this to my kids. Hope this helps you in your efforts 🙂 Ko e Lotu ʻa e Eikiʼ Ko ʻemau Tamai ʻoku ‘i Hēvani, Ke tapuhā ho huafaʼ, Ke aʻu mai hoʻo puleʻangaʼ, Ke fai ho finangalo i mamani; Hangē ko ia ʻi Hēvani Foaki mai haʻa mau meʻakai ki ʻanai.…

  • Write a lunch note of ʻofa

    Kidʻs love to receive notes. Even better when it is a surprise. Try writing a note in Tongan and leave it in your kids lunch box if they are old enough to read. As you incorporate more Tongan words into your childrenʼ vocabulary and/ or yourself, they will soon learn to love speaking in Tongan.…