Tag: Tongan

  • 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.…

  • 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…

  • Ko e feinga pē: All we can do is TRY!

    Life is such a battle for many. No matter what communities we live in rich or poor we all have our own challenges. Growing up there are several words or phrases you constantly hear from your parents, grandparents and Tongan society. Ko e fonua masiva (Tonga is a poor country). Ako ke lahi. Study hard.…

  • 5 Reasons your children are not speaking in Tongan

    I read a great article on Multilingual living and decided to put together a TOP 5 REAONS why your children are not speaking in Tongan. In my own experience with my children these are the 5 top reasons why they were not speaking in Tongan. So you want your children to speak in Tongan but you are finding…

  • 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…

  • 5 Tips learning Tongan for beginners

    Here are 5 tips for those who want to learn Tongan as a foreign language or those wanting to improve their language skills. Learning Tongan does not have to be a chore. Follow these tips, and you will soon discover a beautiful rich language and culture. Immerse yourself. Ideally spending a good six months in the Kingdom would…