Language/Fijian/Vocabulary/Express-Surprise

Fijian Vocabulary - Express Surprise

Hi Fijian learners! 😊
In this lesson, we will learn how to express surprise in Fijian. We will also learn about Fijian culture along the way. Are you ready to learn? 😎

Consider exploring these related pages after completing this lesson: Fruits & Count to 10.

Vocabulary

Let's start by learning some useful words and phrases to express surprise.

Fijian	Pronunciation	English
O rui yani!	Oh roo-ee yan-ee!	What are you saying!
A ka talega!	Ah ka tah-leh-ga!	I can't believe it!
Isa lei balavu!	Ee-sa leh-ee bah-lah-voo!	Oh my goodness!
Io ni kerekere!	Ee-oh nee keh-reh-keh-reh!	Really!
O koya ga e sega ni kerekere!	Oh koya ga eh seh-ga nee keh-reh-keh-reh!	That is unbelievable!
Sega na nomu.	Seh-ga na no-mu.	You can't be serious.
E, sa vo vakalevu tiko ga!	Eh, sa vo vah-kah-leh-voo tee-koh ga!	Wow, that's amazing!
Ka malua!	Kah mah-loo-ah!	Incredible!

Remember, practice makes perfect! 😊 To improve your Fijian Vocabulary, you can also use the Polyglot Club website. Find native speakers and ask them any questions!

Culture and Interesting Facts

Fijians are known for their warm and friendly nature. They often express surprise and excitement through their body language and facial expressions. For example, they may widen their eyes and raise their eyebrows to indicate surprise. They may also exclaim "isa!" (oh my goodness!) or "io ni" (really!) to express amazement.

Fiji is a Melanesian country located in the South Pacific. It is comprised of over 330 islands, with Viti Levu and Vanua Levu being the largest. Fijian culture is very diverse, with influences from Polynesia, Melanesia, India, and Europe. It is famous for its traditional music and dance, as well as its unique cuisine.

Have you tried Fijian food before? Some popular Fijian dishes include kokoda (marinated fish salad), lovo (meat or vegetables cooked in an earth oven), and dhal soup (lentil soup with coconut milk). If you have the opportunity to visit Fiji, make sure to try these delicious dishes and immerse yourself in the local culture!

Dialogue

Let's see some words in context through a dialogue:

• Person 1: Isa! Na tawa lailai mada? (Wow! Is it really small?)
• Person 2: Io, tawa lailai ga. (Yes, it's really small.)

• Person 1: A ka talega, sa tiko vakatālagavulu cake loqo. (I can't believe it, he's already over 30 years old.)
• Person 2: O koya ga e sega ni kerekere! (That's unbelievable!)

• Person 1: Isa sa lailai ga na kena sautu, kerei sara. (Oh my goodness, the portion size is really small, let's order more.)
• Person 2: Ka malua, na tou bula levu mada. (Incredible, we have a big appetite.)

Sources

• Fijian-English Dictionary | Cornell eCommons

Other Lessons

• Days of the Week
• Greetings
• Feelings and Emotions
• Count to 10
• How to Say Hello and Greetings
• Colors
• Drinks
• Clothes
• Animals