Language/Fijian/Grammar/Yes/No-Questions

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FijianGrammar0 to A1 Course → Questions and Interrogatives → Yes/No Questions

Introduction[edit | edit source]

In this lesson, we will learn how to form yes/no questions in Fijian. Asking questions is an essential part of communication, as it allows us to gather information and engage in meaningful conversations. Understanding how to ask yes/no questions will greatly enhance your ability to interact with Fijian speakers and deepen your understanding of the language.

In Fijian, yes/no questions are formed by using question particles and intonation. Additionally, the word order in a question can change, depending on the context and the specific question being asked. We will explore these aspects in detail and provide numerous examples to ensure a thorough understanding of this topic.

Forming Yes/No Questions[edit | edit source]

To form a yes/no question in Fijian, we use question particles to indicate that a question is being asked. The question particles used in Fijian are "e" and "sa". The choice of which question particle to use depends on the tense of the verb in the question.

Let's look at some examples:

Fijian Pronunciation English
E vakayagataka na koro? Ay vakaya-yaga-taka na koro? Did he build the village?
Sa yaco beka na uca? Sa ya-tho be-ka na u-tha? Has it rained?

In the first example, we use the question particle "e" before the verb "vakayagataka" to form the question. In the second example, we use the question particle "sa" before the verb "yaco" to form the question. The question particles "e" and "sa" indicate that a question is being asked and help distinguish it from a statement.

Word Order in Yes/No Questions[edit | edit source]

In Fijian, the word order in a yes/no question can change depending on the context and the specific question being asked. Generally, the word order follows the subject-verb-object (SVO) pattern, just like in declarative sentences. However, in yes/no questions, the word order can change to verb-subject-object (VSO) or verb-object-subject (VOS) pattern.

Let's look at some examples:

Fijian Pronunciation English
E sa qai lako ko Ravi? Ay sa kai la-ko ko Ra-vi? Did Ravi go?
Sa qai lako beka? Sa kai la-ko be-ka? Has he gone?

In the first example, the word order is VSO (verb-subject-object), where the verb "lako" (go) comes before the subject "Ravi" and the object is omitted. In the second example, the word order is VOS (verb-object-subject), where the verb "lako" comes before the object and the subject is omitted. This change in word order is a common feature in yes/no questions in Fijian.

Cultural Insights[edit | edit source]

In Fijian culture, asking questions is an important way to show interest in others and engage in conversation. It is considered polite to ask questions when getting to know someone or discussing a topic. Fijians value open and friendly communication, and asking questions helps to create a sense of connection and understanding.

In traditional Fijian society, questions were also used as a means of gathering information and transmitting knowledge. Elders would often ask questions to younger members of the community to teach them important cultural values, traditions, and history. Questioning and answering played a vital role in the passing down of oral traditions and the preservation of Fijian culture.

Practice Exercises[edit | edit source]

Now it's time to practice forming yes/no questions in Fijian. Use the following prompts to create questions and provide the English translations. Remember to pay attention to the question particles and the word order in each question.

1. He built the house. 2. She cooked the food. 3. They arrived yesterday. 4. Did you see the movie? 5. Have they finished their work? 6. Is the bus coming? 7. Did the children play in the park? 8. Have you visited Fiji before? 9. Did they win the game? 10. Has she read the book?

Exercise Solutions[edit | edit source]

1. E vakayagataka na vale? (Did he build the house?) 2. Sa vakakakava beka na kakana? (Has she cooked the food?) 3. Sa yaco beka na lako mai na noqu tamata? (Did they arrive yesterday?) 4. E raica na filimi? (Did you see the movie?) 5. Sa oti beka na nodra cakacaka? (Have they finished their work?) 6. Sa toro beka na basi? (Is the bus coming?) 7. Sa qai lako beka na gone mai na vale ni veikau? (Did the children play in the park?) 8. Sa vakavulici beka oti e dua na vanua kecega? (Have you visited Fiji before?) 9. E ra sa gumatua beka e na vakaivalu? (Did they win the game?) 10. Sa wilika beka na vola? (Has she read the book?)

Conclusion[edit | edit source]

Congratulations! You have now learned how to form yes/no questions in Fijian. By using question particles and understanding the different word order patterns, you can confidently ask and answer questions in Fijian. Keep practicing and incorporating these questions into your conversations to further improve your language skills. Vinaka vakalevu (thank you very much) for your dedication and hard work in learning Fijian!

Table of Contents - Fijian Course - 0 to A1[edit source]


Greetings and Introductions


Pronouns and Possession


Numbers and Time


Basic Sentence Structure


Family and Relationships


Fijian Etiquette


Food and Dining


Questions and Interrogatives


Travel and Transportation


Fijian Festivals and Celebrations


Adjectives and Adverbs


Weather and Seasons


Fijian Music and Dance


Prepositions and Conjunctions


Work and Professions


Fijian Sports and Recreation


Imperatives and Requests


Shopping and Money





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