Language/Fijian/Vocabulary/Telling-Time
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Introduction: In this lesson, we will delve into the topic of telling time in Fijian. Being able to express and understand time is an essential skill in any language, and it is no different in Fijian. By the end of this lesson, you will be able to ask and answer questions about the current time, and express time in hours and minutes. We will explore the vocabulary and grammar necessary for discussing time, and provide numerous examples to ensure a thorough understanding. Additionally, we will highlight any regional variations in the usage of time expressions, and share interesting cultural facts related to timekeeping in Fiji. So let's get started and learn how to tell time in Fijian!
Asking About the Time[edit | edit source]
To ask "What time is it?" in Fijian, you can use the following phrase:
E sa va'i na siga?
Let's break down this question:
- E - This is a particle that indicates a question.
- sa va'i - This is the verb phrase that means "to be the time".
- na siga - This is the noun phrase that means "the time".
Here are a few examples of asking about the time:
- E sa va'i na siga? - What time is it?
- E sa va'i na siga e tolu? - What time is it? (literally: What is the time three?)
In response to these questions, you can provide the time using the following format:
E va'i kei na <hour> kei na <minute>.
Here are a few examples of telling the time:
- E va'i kei na rua kei na tolu. - It is two thirty.
- E va'i kei na vitu kei na limasagavulu. - It is seven fifty.
Note: In Fijian, time is typically expressed using the 12-hour clock rather than the 24-hour clock. However, both systems are used in Fiji, so it is important to be familiar with both formats.
Vocabulary for Telling Time[edit | edit source]
Now let's learn the Fijian vocabulary for telling time. Here are the numbers from one to twelve:
| Fijian | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| dua | doo-ah | one |
| rua | roo-ah | two |
| tolu | toh-loo | three |
| va | vah | four |
| lima | lee-mah | five |
| ono | oh-noh | six |
| vitu | vee-too | seven |
| walu | wah-loo | eight |
| ciwa | thee-wah | nine |
| tini | tee-nee | ten |
| tini dua | tee-nee doo-ah | eleven |
| tini rua | tee-nee roo-ah | twelve |
These numbers will be the basis for expressing time in hours. To express time in minutes, you can use the following vocabulary:
| Fijian | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| tini dua | tee-nee doo-ah | one minute |
| tini rua | tee-nee roo-ah | two minutes |
| tini tolu | tee-nee toh-loo | three minutes |
| tini va | tee-nee vah | four minutes |
| tini lima | tee-nee lee-mah | five minutes |
| tini ono | tee-nee oh-noh | six minutes |
| tini vitu | tee-nee vee-too | seven minutes |
| tini walu | tee-nee wah-loo | eight minutes |
| tini ciwa | tee-nee thee-wah | nine minutes |
| tini tini | tee-nee tee-nee | ten minutes |
| tini tini dua | tee-nee tee-nee doo-ah | eleven minutes |
| tini tini rua | tee-nee tee-nee roo-ah | twelve minutes |
| tini tini tolu | tee-nee tee-nee toh-loo | thirteen minutes |
| tini tini va | tee-nee tee-nee vah | fourteen minutes |
| tini tini lima | tee-nee tee-nee lee-mah | fifteen minutes |
| tini tini ono | tee-nee tee-nee oh-noh | sixteen minutes |
| tini tini vitu | tee-nee tee-nee vee-too | seventeen minutes |
| tini tini walu | tee-nee tee-nee wah-loo | eighteen minutes |
| tini tini ciwa | tee-nee tee-nee thee-wah | nineteen minutes |
| dua na kaono | doo-ah nah kah-oh-noh | twenty minutes |
| rua na kaono | roo-ah nah kah-oh-noh | thirty minutes |
| tolu na kaono | toh-loo nah kah-oh-noh | forty minutes |
| va na kaono | vah nah kah-oh-noh | fifty minutes |
| dua na siga | doo-ah nah see-gah | one hour |
| rua na siga | roo-ah nah see-gah | two hours |
| tolu na siga | toh-loo nah see-gah | three hours |
| va na siga | vah nah see-gah | four hours |
| lima na siga | lee-mah nah see-gah | five hours |
| ono na siga | oh-noh nah see-gah | six hours |
| vitu na siga | vee-too nah see-gah | seven hours |
| walu na siga | wah-loo nah see-gah | eight hours |
| ciwa na siga | thee-wah nah see-gah | nine hours |
| tini na siga | tee-nee nah see-gah | ten hours |
| dua na siga dua na kaono | doo-ah nah see-gah doo-ah nah kah-oh-noh | one hour twenty minutes |
| rua na siga dua na kaono | roo-ah nah see-gah doo-ah nah kah-oh-noh | two hours twenty minutes |
Cultural Insight[edit | edit source]
In Fijian culture, time is often perceived in a more relaxed and flexible manner compared to Western cultures. Punctuality is valued, but there is also an understanding that time is not always strictly adhered to. This is especially true in more rural or remote areas of Fiji, where the pace of life is slower and more laid-back. It is important to keep this cultural context in mind when discussing time in Fijian, and to be mindful of the fact that flexibility and patience may be required. Additionally, the concept of "Fiji time" is often used to describe the relaxed attitude towards timekeeping in the country. This can be seen as both a charming aspect of Fijian culture and a reminder to embrace a more relaxed approach to time in certain situations.
Practice Exercises[edit | edit source]
Now it's time to practice what you've learned! Try to answer the following questions and provide the time in Fijian. The answers will be provided after each question for you to check your understanding.
1. E sa va'i na siga? Answer: The answer will depend on the current time. For example, if the time is 2:30, the answer would be "E va'i kei na rua kei na tolu."
2. E sa va'i na siga e lima na siga? Answer: The answer will depend on the current time. For example, if the time is 6:15, the answer would be "E va'i kei na ono na siga tini tini lima."
3. E sa va'i na siga e tini na siga dua na kaono? Answer: The answer will depend on the current time. For example, if the time is 10:20, the answer would be "E va'i kei na tini na siga dua na kaono."
Solutions[edit | edit source]
1. E va'i kei na rua kei na tolu. 2. E va'i kei na ono na siga tini tini lima. 3. E va'i kei na tini na siga dua na kaono.
Congratulations! You have completed the lesson on telling time in Fijian. You have learned how to ask and answer questions about the current time, and express time in hours and minutes. Keep practicing and reinforcing your knowledge of time expressions, and remember to be mindful of the cultural context when discussing time in Fiji. Vinaka vakalevu (thank you) for joining this lesson, and we hope to see you in the next one!
Other Lessons[edit | edit source]
- Asking for Directions
- Education
- Drinks
- Health
- Colors
- Feelings and Emotions
- Count to 10
- Family Members
- Ordering at a Restaurant
- Food
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