Language/Fijian/Grammar/Describing-Actions-and-States
Description
In this lesson, you will learn how to use adverbs in Fijian to describe actions and states. You will learn how to modify verbs, adjectives, and other adverbs to create more precise descriptions. Furthermore, you will get to practice using adverbs in sentences and questions, so that you can start describing actions and states like a native Fijian speaker.
Adverbs in Fijian
An adverb is a word that describes or modifies the action of a verb, an adjective, or another adverb. In Fijian, adverbs are often formed from adjectives by adding the suffix '-ka' or '-saga'. Some adverbs can also be formed from verbs. There are many different types of adverbs in Fijian, including adverbs of time, place, manner, and degree.
Adverbs of Time
Adverbs of time describe when an action is done. In Fijian, adverbs of time are formed by adding the suffix '-ni' to a time word such as 'na bogi' (night), 'na siga' (day), 'na veisiga' (week), or 'na vula' (month).
Examples:
| Fijian | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| sa mai kana edaidai-ni | sa mai kana edayday-ni | I will come and eat today |
| e vosa mai na nomu tagane na bogi-ni | e vosa mai na nomu tangane na bogi-ni | Your brother spoke last night |
| au na sota iko e na veisiga-ni | au na sota iko e na vaysinga-ni | I will see you next week |
Adverbs of Place
Adverbs of place describe where an action is done. In Fijian, adverbs of place are often formed by adding the suffix '-lia' to a location word such as 'viti' (Fiji), 'vale' (house), 'tu' (standing), or 'curu' (entering).
Examples:
| Fijian | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| au sa qai lako kina-mai-ni | au sa ngai la-ko kina-mye-ni | I will come there soon |
| sa lako ko na gone vale-lia | sa la-ko ko na gone vale-lia | The child went into the house |
| e sa curu na siga dua na tu-lia | e sa curu na siga dua na tu-lia | The sun rises in the east |
Adverbs of Manner
Adverbs of manner describe how an action is done. In Fijian, adverbs of manner are often formed by adding the suffix '-ka' or '-ga' to an adjective or by using a verb directly as an adverb.
Examples:
| Fijian | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| sala vakaturaga ga | sa-la vakaturanga nga | Walk elegantly |
| sa lako vakalailai ga | sa la-ko vakalailai nga | He walks slowly |
| sa oti vakavinaka na tiki-taka gunu | sa o-ti vakavinaka na tiki-taka gunu | The drink was well made |
Adverbs of Degree
Adverbs of degree describe the intensity or extent of an action or state. In Fijian, adverbs of degree are often formed by adding the suffix '-dzi' to an adjective or using a verb directly as an adverb.
Examples:
| Fijian | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| dau kubu-saga sara-ga | dau kubu-sanga sara-ga | Jump high |
| sa bibi lailai-dzi na cagi | sa bibi lailai-ji na thangi | The wind is blowing softly |
| e vaka-cataka tiko vakalevu-ga ka'u loma | e vaka-thataka tiko vaka-letu-ga ka'u loma | I miss you very much |
Using Adverbs
Adverbs can modify verbs, adjectives, and other adverbs. They can be placed before or after the word they modify, depending on the context and emphasis. When an adverb modifies an adjective or another adverb, it comes right before it.
Adverbs Modifying Verbs
Adverbs can be used to modify verbs to create more precise descriptions of actions. They are placed either before or after the verb.
Examples:
- Au sa kana vinaka sara - I eat well
- Sa kaburaki ga na bilo - The cup is broken completely
Adverbs Modifying Adjectives
Adverbs can be used to modify adjectives to create more precise descriptions of states. They are placed before the adjective.
Examples:
- Sa qai va matana ka levu - He was very happy
- Sa makutu viavia meka e na karua - She looks beautiful today
Adverbs Modifying Other Adverbs
Adverbs can also be used to modify other adverbs to create more precise descriptions. They are placed before the adverb.
Examples:
- Sa sivia vakalevuqaraqara-ni ga na vale - The house is built very high
- Au na lako sara-taka-mai - I will come right away
Practice
Translate the following sentences into Fijian:
- She runs slowly.
- The food is very delicious.
- They speak softly.
- He sings beautifully.
- I always wake up early.
- The sea is very rough today.
- We will meet there tomorrow afternoon.
- He speaks loudly in class.
- She writes neatly and quickly.
- They
Other Lessons
- Wh Questions
- Describing People and Things
- Using Conjunctions
- Adjectives
- Giving Commands
- Personal Pronouns
- Possessive Pronouns
- Give your Opinion
- Questions
- Negation
Sources