Language/Fijian/Vocabulary/Shopping-Vocabulary
Shopping is something we all do almost every day. It is also a great way to experience local culture while traveling. In this lesson, we will learn the basic Fijian shopping vocabulary needed to make purchases, ask for prices, sizes, and colors, and even bargain for goods.
Common Shopping Phrases
Below are some of the most common Fijian shopping phrases you can use while shopping in Fiji:
Useful Phrases
- Bula vinaka - "Hello"
- O cei na nodrau tiko? - "Who's in charge here?"
- Sa dredre me sereka na dromu ni sulu? - "Can you loosen the waistband of the dress?"
- Sa toso na sulu. - "The clothes are tight."
- Sa laisiva na sulu. - "The clothes are loose."
- Au sa kerea mada na rega ni sulu. - "I'd like to try on the dress, please."
- O koya ga na nodaru macawa. - "That's our final price."
Vocabulary List
Here are some important Fijian vocabulary words relating to shopping:
Fijian | Pronunciation | English |
---|---|---|
tali vaka-CA-va na ka.? | tah-lee vah-kah-thahh-vah nahh kahh? | "What's the price of this?" |
lailai | lah-ee-lah-ee | "small" |
levu | leh-voo | "big" |
sau | sah-oo | "medium" |
wawa | wah-wah | "heavy" |
mama | mah-mah | "light" |
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 | theew-ah | "nine" |
tini | tee-nee | "ten" |
sega | sehng-ah | "no, not" |
io | ee-oh | "yes" |
Bargaining
Bargaining is a common practice in Fiji, especially in local markets. However, it's important to do so in a respectful manner. Here are some useful phrases to help you bargain:
- Sa vuqa cake na kenai katolu ni ka qo. - "The price of this item is too high."
- Rogoca na noqu ni veikau ni ka ni'u kerei kina. Ko cei na nomuni tau? - "I think the price should be lower. What is your final price?"
- Toso cake na ka oqo. Sa kerekere me lewa tiko. - "This item is too expensive. Could you please lower the price?"
Asking for Sizes and Colors
To ask for a specific size or color, here are some helpful phrases:
- Oi au sa qarauna tiko na sulu oqo eci keimami me lewa me taura mai? - "I'm looking for this dress. Could you please show me where it is?"
- Au solia na sulu vakalevu. Oi au sa qarauna sulu lailai ga. - "This dress is too big. Do you have any smaller sizes?"
- Au sa qarauna sulu vaka-ulaula. E sega ni kune. - "I'm looking for a red dress, but I can't find one."
- Na tasi sa qarauna sulu raqona. Sa solia tiko ga na vakawiri ni sulu dua. - "I'm looking for a brown dress. They only have one left in stock."
Money and Currency
Here are some important Fijian words relating to money and currency:
Fijian | Pronunciation | English |
---|---|---|
ovulo | oh-voo-loh | "cents" |
dolava | doh-lah-vah | "dollar" |
soli voli | soh-lee voh-lee | "change" |
lailai sara | lah-ee-lah-ee sah-rah | "just a little" |
oti kina | oh-tee kee-nah | "that's all" |
Practice Sentences
Use the vocabulary and phrases above to create your own practice sentences. Here are some examples to get you started:
- Au sa qarauna sulu lailai. - "I'm looking for a small dress."
- Au sa kerea mada na rega ni sulu dredre me lewa tiko. - "I'd like to try on the dress, but it's too tight."
- Sa sega ni dredre. - "It's not difficult."
- Na price oqo sa ca. - "This price is too expensive."
Keep practicing and soon, you'll be able to shop with ease in Fiji, and even bargain like a local!