Language/Fijian/Grammar/Describing-People-and-Things
Fijian adjectives and adverbs are essential for describing people, places, and things. In this lesson, you will learn how to use and form adjectives and adverbs in Fijian. You will also learn how to use comparative and superlative adjectives to make comparisons. Let's get started!
Adjectives
Adjectives are words that describe nouns or pronouns. In Fijian, adjectives typically come after the noun they modify. Here are some examples:
| Fijian | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| adi kalokalo | a-ndi ka-lo-ka-lo | beautiful girl |
| yalo vinaka | ya-lo vi-na-ka | good spirit |
| na kena levu | na ke-na le-vu | big house |
| na yakavi dau raraba | na ya-ka-vi dau ra-ra-mba | noisy evening |
Note that in Fijian, adjectives do not change form based on the gender or number of the noun they modify.
Comparative and Superlative Adjectives
Comparative adjectives are used to compare two things, while superlative adjectives are used to compare more than two things. In Fijian, comparative and superlative adjectives are formed by adding the words "vakayalo" and "vakayalo sara", respectively, before the adjective. Here are some examples:
| Fijian | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| sa lutu vakayalo na i moli-ni | sa lu-tu va-ka-ya-lo na i mo-li-ni | the lemon is sour (more sour) |
| sa waiwai vakayalo na masima | sa wai-wai va-ka-ya-lo na ma-si-ma | the mango is sweet (sweeter) |
| sa dosidosi vakayalo sara na waqa | sa do-si-do-si va-ka-ya-lo sa-ra na wa-qa | the boat is very fast (fastest) |
Using Adjectives in Sentences
To use adjectives in sentences, simply place them after the noun they modify. Here are some examples:
- Na kena levu na vale. (The house is big.)
- Sa yalo vinaka na tamata. (The person has a good spirit.)
- Adu na i keli kalokalo. (There is a beautiful cat.)
You can also use adjectives to ask questions, which is done by placing the adjective before the noun. Here are some examples:
- Sa vakayalo na kakana oqo? (Is this food spicy?)
- Na i tovo vakayalo ni sizani? (Is the dress expensive?)
- Sa mani waqa vakayalo sara oqo, sa dua na veiuto. (This car is very fast, it's one of a kind.)
Adverbs
Adverbs are words that describe verbs, adjectives, and other adverbs. They often end in the suffix "-ga" or "-dina". Here are some examples:
| Fijian | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| dodomo ga | do-do-mo ga | slowly |
| kau ga | ka-u ga | quickly |
| sa rogoca dina | sa ro-go-tha din-a | clearly heard |
| sa yaga dina | sa ya-nga din-a | perfectly cooked |
Note that in Fijian, adverbs can come before or after the word they describe.
Using Adverbs in Sentences
To use adverbs in sentences, simply place them after the verb, adjective, or other adverb they modify. Here are some examples:
- Sa mani caka dodomo ga na tamata oqo. (This person works slowly.)
- Sa kua ga na wai oqo. (This water is boiling quickly.)
- Adu sa laki kune yani ka sa rogoca dina na nodra veivosaki. (I overheard and clearly heard them talking.)
You can also use adverbs to ask questions by placing them at the beginning of your sentence. Here are some examples:
- Dodomo ga na va'a sega? (Is the canoe moving slowly?)
- Au kua ga e sega? (Am I walking too quickly?)
- E dodomo ga sa vakacacana na ka oqo? (Are you destroying this slowly?)
Congratulations! You now know how to use adjectives and adverbs in Fijian. Practice using them in sentences and questions to improve your language skills.
Other Lessons
- 0 to A1 Course
- Personal Pronouns
- Describing Actions and States
- Using Prepositions
- Adjectives
- Wh Questions
- Subject Verb Object
- Giving Commands
- Negation
Sources