Language/Fijian/Grammar/Using-Prepositions
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Using Prepositions in Fijian
In Fijian grammar, prepositions are used to link nouns, pronouns and phrases to other words in the sentence. Prepositions often indicate location, direction, time, and other relationships between words. In this lesson, you will learn how to use prepositions in Fijian and practice using them in sentences and questions.
Prepositions in Fijian
Here are some common prepositions used in Fijian and their English translations:
| Fijian | English |
|---|---|
| mai | from, out of |
| ki | to, towards, at |
| e na | in, inside |
| vei | (used to connect different objects together) |
| vei na | on, upon, above |
| loma ni | inside, within |
| ki na mawi | to the left of |
| ki na matau | to the right of |
| mai na mawi | from the left of |
| mai na matau | from the right of |
Using Prepositions in Fijian Sentences
Prepositions are usually placed before the noun, pronoun or verb it is connecting. Here are some examples:
- Mai na Kioa na wai? (Where does the water come from in Kioa?)
- Au sa lako ki na koro. (I am going to the village.)
- Sa dua na ika e tiko e na vatu. (There is a fish living in a stone.)
- Au sa vakarautaka na sila ni koro e na vatu. (I am preparing the land for planting inside a stone.)
- Au sa tiko vei na ulu ni kau. (I am staying among the trees.)
- Sa dua na tolu na ika sa tiko vei na vatu lailai. (Three fish are living on a small rock.)
- Au sa lako loma ni vale ni Turaga. (I am going inside the Chief's house.)
- Au tiko ki na mawi ni Koro. (I am living to the left of the village.)
- Na mataka, au na qai lako ki na matau ki na koro. (Tomorrow, I will go to the right of the village.)
- Au sa lako tani mai na mawi ni koro. (I am going away from the left of the village.)
Using Prepositions in Fijian Questions
To ask questions using prepositions, you can use the following question words:
- Vei na? (On, upon, above what?)
- Ki na? (To, towards, at what?)
- Mai na? (From, out of what?)
- Loma ni na? (Inside, within what?)
- Vei na mawi ni? (To the left of what?)
- Vei na matau ni? (To the right of what?)
- Mai na mawi ni? (From the left of what?)
- Mai na matau ni? (From the right of what?)
Here are some examples of questions using prepositions:
- Vei na kau sa tawa? (On, upon, above which tree is the bird flying?)
- Ki na koro oqo sa lako? (To, towards, at which village are you going?)
- Mai na vale ni ma sa oti? (From, out of which house is the cat coming?)
- Loma ni vale sa qara vakalevu? (Inside, within which house are you searching for something?)
- Vei na mawi ni koro sa tara? (To the left of which village is the mountain being built?)
- Vei na matau ni wai sa lako? (To the right of which river are you going?)
- Mai na mawi ni qele sa wavu? (From the left of which land is the wind blowing?)
- Mai na matau ni moto sa lako? (From the right of which vehicle is the motorbike coming?)
Practice Exercises
Translate the following sentences into Fijian using the correct prepositions.
- The bird is flying away from the tree.
- I am walking to the beach.
- The watermelon is on, upon the table.
- The snake is hiding in, inside the grass.
- The key is under, below the book.
Translate the following questions into Fijian using the correct prepositions.
- Where is the spider hanging
- 0 to A1 Course
- Give your Opinion
- Making Polite Requests
- Wh Questions
- Questions
- Adjectives
- Possessive Pronouns
- How to Use Have
- Personal Pronouns
Other Lessons
Sources
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