Language/Fijian/Grammar/Wh-Questions

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Fijian → Grammar → 0 to A1 Course → Questions and Interrogatives → Wh-Questions

In this lesson, we will explore the topic of wh-questions in the Fijian language. Wh-questions are an essential part of communication as they allow us to gather information and seek clarification. By learning how to form and use wh-questions, you will be able to engage in meaningful conversations and expand your language skills. Throughout this lesson, we will provide clear explanations, numerous examples, and engaging practice exercises to ensure your understanding and mastery of this topic.

Introduction to Wh-Questions

Wh-questions are questions that begin with a wh-word, such as "who", "what", "where", "when", "why", or "how". These questions are used to request specific information about a person, thing, place, time, reason, or manner. Wh-questions require more than a simple yes or no answer, and they often elicit more detailed responses.

Forming wh-questions in Fijian involves a few key elements. First, we need to use the appropriate wh-word at the beginning of the question. Then, we need to ensure that the sentence structure is correct by placing the wh-word in the appropriate position. Finally, we need to use the appropriate verb form to match the question being asked.

Throughout this lesson, we will examine each wh-word individually and provide examples of how to form wh-questions using different subjects, verbs, and objects. By the end of this lesson, you will have a solid understanding of how to form and use wh-questions in Fijian.

Wh-Questions with "Who"

Let's start by exploring how to form wh-questions using the wh-word "who". In Fijian, "who" is translated as "ko cei". To form a wh-question with "who", we follow this structure:

Wh-word ("ko cei") + Verb + Subject

Here are some examples:

Fijian	Pronunciation	English
Ko cei na gone?	Ko they na gone?	Who is the child?
Ko cei na turaga?	Ko they na turanga?	Who is the chief?
Ko cei na kai Suva?	Ko they na kai Suva?	Who is from Suva?

In these examples, we can see that the wh-word "ko cei" is placed at the beginning of the question, followed by the verb and subject. This structure allows us to ask specific questions about a person's identity, occupation, or place of origin.

Wh-Questions with "What"

Next, let's explore how to form wh-questions using the wh-word "what". In Fijian, "what" is translated as "ca". To form a wh-question with "what", we follow this structure:

Wh-word ("ca") + Verb + Subject

Here are some examples:

Fijian	Pronunciation	English
Ca na nomu yaca?	Tha na nomu yatha?	What is your name?
Ca na nodra kena?	Tha na nodra kena?	What is their job?
Ca na nomu veitau ni sautu?	Tha na nomu veitau ni sautu?	What is your favorite color?

In these examples, we can see that the wh-word "ca" is placed at the beginning of the question, followed by the verb and subject. This structure allows us to ask specific questions about a person's name, occupation, or preferences.

Wh-Questions with "Where"

Now, let's learn how to form wh-questions using the wh-word "where". In Fijian, "where" is translated as "e dau vei?" or "e dau sa?" To form a wh-question with "where", we follow this structure:

Wh-word ("e dau vei?" or "e dau sa?") + Verb + Subject

Here are some examples:

Fijian	Pronunciation	English
E dau vei na koro?	E dau vei na koro?	Where is the village?
E dau sa na veikau?	E dau sa na veikau?	Where is the forest?
E dau vei na nodratou sautu?	E dau vei na nodratou sautu?	Where are their favorite colors?

In these examples, we can see that the wh-word "e dau vei?" or "e dau sa?" is placed at the beginning of the question, followed by the verb and subject. This structure allows us to ask specific questions about the location of a place or the whereabouts of something or someone.

Wh-Questions with "When"

Moving on, let's explore how to form wh-questions using the wh-word "when". In Fijian, "when" is translated as "ni sa qai?" or "ni sa qai sara?" To form a wh-question with "when", we follow this structure:

Wh-word ("ni sa qai?" or "ni sa qai sara?") + Verb + Subject

Here are some examples:

Fijian	Pronunciation	English
Ni sa qai na lako mai?	Ni sa qai na lako mai?	When did you come?
Ni sa qai sara na veikoro?	Ni sa qai sara na veikoro?	When will the villages arrive?
Ni sa qai na lako mai na nodratou sautu?	Ni sa qai na lako mai na nodratou sautu?	When did their favorite colors change?

In these examples, we can see that the wh-word "ni sa qai?" or "ni sa qai sara?" is placed at the beginning of the question, followed by the verb and subject. This structure allows us to ask specific questions about the timing or occurrence of an event or action.

Wh-Questions with "Why"

Now, let's learn how to form wh-questions using the wh-word "why". In Fijian, "why" is translated as "e sega ni dau?" or "e sega ni dau sa?" To form a wh-question with "why", we follow this structure:

Wh-word ("e sega ni dau?" or "e sega ni dau sa?") + Verb + Subject

Here are some examples:

Fijian	Pronunciation	English
E sega ni dau na nodratou sautu?	E sega ni dau na nodratou sautu?	Why do they dislike those colors?
E sega ni dau sa na veikoro?	E sega ni dau sa na veikoro?	Why are the villages empty?
E sega ni dau na lako mai?	E sega ni dau na lako mai?	Why did you not come?

In these examples, we can see that the wh-word "e sega ni dau?" or "e sega ni dau sa?" is placed at the beginning of the question, followed by the verb and subject. This structure allows us to ask specific questions about the reason or cause behind a certain action or situation.

Wh-Questions with "How"

Lastly, let's explore how to form wh-questions using the wh-word "how". In Fijian, "how" is translated as "e dau vakarokoroko?" or "e dau vakarokorokotaki?" To form a wh-question with "how", we follow this structure:

Wh-word ("e dau vakarokoroko?" or "e dau vakarokorokotaki?") + Verb + Subject

Here are some examples:

Fijian	Pronunciation	English
E dau vakarokoroko na veikoro?	E dau vakarokoroko na veikoro?	How are the villages built?
E dau vakarokorokotaki na nodratou sautu?	E dau vakarokorokotaki na nodratou sautu?	How are their favorite colors chosen?
E dau vakarokoroko na lako mai?	E dau vakarokoroko na lako mai?	How did you come?

In these examples, we can see that the wh-word "e dau vakarokoroko?" or "e dau vakarokorokotaki?" is placed at the beginning of the question, followed by the verb and subject. This structure allows us to ask specific questions about the manner or method of doing something.

Cultural Insights

In Fijian culture, asking questions is an important part of social interaction. It shows interest, curiosity, and a desire to engage with others. When asking wh-questions, it is essential to be respectful and considerate of the person you are speaking to. Fijians value politeness and may prefer indirect or subtle questioning styles. It is also common to use nonverbal cues, such as facial expressions and body language, to communicate questions.

Additionally, the usage and understanding of wh-questions may vary across different regions of Fiji. Local dialects and cultural practices can influence the preferred question forms and expressions. For example, in some regions, the wh-word "ko cei" may be replaced with "ko cei sa?" or "ko cei me?" to ask "who". Similarly, the wh-word "ca" can be replaced with "ca sa?" or "ca me?" to ask "what". These variations add richness to the language and highlight the diversity of the Fijian culture.

Practice Exercises

Now it's time to practice what you've learned! Below are some exercises to help you apply your knowledge of wh-questions in Fijian. Try to answer each question using the appropriate question word and sentence structure.

Exercise 1: Form wh-questions using the given prompts:

1. (Who / cook / dinner?) 2. (What / your favorite color?) 3. (Where / the books?) 4. (When / the party?) 5. (Why / the children / cry?)

Exercise 2: Answer the following wh-questions:

1. (Who / the man / with?) 2. (What / you / do / tomorrow?) 3. (Where / the keys / now?) 4. (When / the concert / start?) 5. (Why / the dog / bark?)

Exercise 1 - Sample Answers:

1. Ko cei sa vakarautaka na vakavinavinaka? 2. Ca sa nomu sautu vinaka? 3. E dau vei na veivola? 4. Ni sa qai na tiko mai na veivakasaututaki? 5. E sega ni dau sa na tagi na gone?

Exercise 2 - Sample Answers:

1. Ko cei sa tiko vata kei na tamata? 2. E dau sa na cakacaka oqo na nomu mataka? 3. E dau vei sa na kena oqo na yabaki? 4. Ni sa qai sara na veivakasaututaki? 5. E sega ni dau sa na vakatitiqa na koli?

Take your time to complete these exercises and feel free to refer back to the lesson material if needed. Once you have finished, you can check your answers below.

Exercise 1 - Answers:

1. Ko cei sa vakarautaka na vakavinavinaka? 2. Ca sa nomu sautu vinaka? 3. E dau vei na veivola? 4. Ni sa qai na tiko mai na veivakasaututaki? 5. E sega ni dau sa na tagi na gone?

Exercise 2 - Answers:

1. Ko iko ga na tiko vata kei na tamata. 2. E dau sa na cakacaka ka lako yani au e na mataka. 3. E dau vei au na kena oqo na yabaki. 4. Ni sa qai sara na veivakasaututaki. 5. E sega ni dau sa na vakatitiqa na koli.

Conclusion

Congratulations! You have learned how to form and use wh-questions in Fijian. By mastering this skill, you will be able to engage in more meaningful conversations and gather specific information. Remember to practice asking and answering wh-questions in various contexts to further strengthen your language skills. Keep up the good work and continue your journey towards Fijian language proficiency!

Table of Contents - Fijian Course - 0 to A1

• Course Presentation

  ---

Greetings and Introductions

• Basic Greetings
• Introducing Yourself

  ---

Pronouns and Possession

• Personal Pronouns
• Possessive Pronouns

  ---

Numbers and Time

• Numbers 1-10
• Telling Time

  ---

Basic Sentence Structure

• Subject-Verb-Object
• Negation

  ---

Family and Relationships

• Family Members
• Relationships

  ---

Fijian Etiquette

• Politeness and Respect
• Visiting a Fijian Home

  ---

Food and Dining

• Common Fijian Dishes
• Ordering at a Restaurant

  ---

Questions and Interrogatives

• Yes/No Questions
• Wh-Questions

  ---

Travel and Transportation

• Modes of Transportation
• Asking for Directions

  ---

Fijian Festivals and Celebrations

• Traditional Festivals
• Celebrating Birthdays and Weddings

  ---

Adjectives and Adverbs

• Describing People and Things
• Describing Actions and States

  ---

Weather and Seasons

• Weather Vocabulary
• Seasons and Months

  ---

Fijian Music and Dance

• Traditional Music
• Traditional Dance

  ---

Prepositions and Conjunctions

• Using Prepositions
• Using Conjunctions

  ---

Work and Professions

• Common Professions
• Workplace Vocabulary

  ---

Fijian Sports and Recreation

• Popular Sports
• Leisure Activities

  ---

Imperatives and Requests

• Giving Commands
• Making Polite Requests

  ---

Shopping and Money

• Shopping Vocabulary
• Money and Currency

Sources

• Object licensing in Fijian and the role of adjacency | SpringerLink

Other Lessons

• Using Conjunctions
• Giving Commands
• Describing Actions and States
• Future Tense
• Using Prepositions
• Possessive Pronouns
• Personal Pronouns
• Describing People and Things
• Conditional Mood

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Next Lesson — Modes of Transportation ▶️