Category: Vocabulary

  • 5 daily Tongan greetings you can use today!

    Mālō e lelei is hello in Tongan . It literally means thank you for being good. But did you know that Tongan greetings are more than just a one word hello. It is a beautiful phrase that acknowledges and shows gratitude. There are variations and using these phrases can help to build relationships and connection.…

  • Foʻilea ‘oe Uike’: Ako

    Mālō e lelei! To encourage the use of the Tongan language we are posting a word of the week that can be used with children or beginners.  Ako (ah-koh) is a wonderful word in Tongan. It is the word for learning. It is also the word for teaching. In our culture, ako is about the collective…

  • 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?…

  • Is it Taimi’ni or Taini’mi?

    This is another of my internal questions that has lingered in my head regarding the Tongan language. I have always used Taimi’ ni which means at this moment in time/ right now. Then I started to hear people say Taini’ mi, so are you saying it right or not. It has been confirmed by Tongan linguists so…

  • Lea Pacman lea! {FREE PRINTABLE GAME}

    Lea Pacman lea! {FREE PRINTABLE GAME}

    Help Pacman get to the end by speaking in Tongan! A fun game for kids to speak and learn their Tongan vocabulary.

  • 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…

  • Himi 391: ‘Oku ai ha ki’i fonua lyrics

    One of my favourite hymns. It tells the story of a little island in the ocean which did not know God and was not blessed (so say the missionaries), but has many blessings now because Tupou I gave his nation to God. ‘Oku ai ha ki’i fonua ‘Oku tu’u ‘i ‘Oseni. Na’e ‘ikai ke ma’u…

  • Tongan bible verse: Mātiu 7:7-8

    Tongan bible verse: Mātiu 7:7-8

    A great tip to learning Tongan is comparing bible passages in English & Tongan. Kids learn Tongan by reciting bible verses and hymns durnig Faka-Mē or White Sunday in May which is a great way to pick up vocabulary. Here is a visual of a well known bible passage Matthew 7:7-8. Simply compare the verse and recite by…

  • 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…