Bula bula! This time in Language Day we have a special treat for all you Survivor fans out there! Some titbits of the Fijian language! An Austronesian language of the Malayo-Polynesian family spoken by some 350,000–450,000 ethnic Fijians (i.e. less than half the population) as their first language, and as their second, some 200,000 more. The traditional Fijian language is made up of a number of dialects, with the official interpretation being Bau Fijian. English is the official language of Fiji, but if you ever go there, it would certainly be fun to know some Fijian words and phrases.
Before we start this small language study of ours, please be reminded that there is another article here in Journeys of Life that concerns the show, namely Survivor Winners - worth checking out for sure! Season 42 is ongoing.
Ever since the Survivor season 35, the show has been broadcasted in Fiji. Specifically on the Mamanuca Islands. So we have come to hear quite a few Fijian words during the past years. Here follows a simple recount of these words - many of them as tribal names, typically of the three tribes that we get to know at the start of the season.
Names of the merged tribes are excluded as they usually are made up of the original tribal names. There has been either two or three tribes at the start of a season in Fji. Two tribes in seasons 14,33,34,36,38,39 and 40. Three tribes in seasons 35,41 and the ongoing 42. In season 37 the two tribes were called David and Goliath respectively, so no Fijian tribe names there.
So, let’s dive into the Fijian language through the Survivor tribal names, followed by some phrases in Fijian. Survivor season given in the brackets. This list is to be updated.
Dakal (40) Red?
Ika (42) Fish
Kama (38)
Lairo (39)
Levu (35) Large, big, wide, great
Luvu (41) Flood
Malolo (36)
Mana (34)
Manu (38) Bird
Moto (14) Spear
Naviti (35)
Nuku (34) Sand
Ravu (14) To kill
Sele (40) Knife
Soko (35)
Takali (33)
Taku (42) Whale
Ua (41) Wave
Vanua (33) Place, land
Vati (42)
Vokai (39)
Yase (41) Lightning
Yawa (35) Milkfish
Finally, let’s have some Fijian words and expressions, pertaining to the show! To help with the pronunciation, check this very helpful page by TripSavvy! And don’t forget to check that video down below!
Bula - Welcome / Hello
dali - rope
damu - red
damudamu - red
domoni - love
E tiko e sō na raisi? = Is there any rice?
gunu = to drink
gusu = mouth
io = yes (pronounced ee-yo)
Jilou / Tulou = Excuse me
kana = to eat
Kana vinaka! = The food is very good! (pronounced kahna vinahka)
kau = tree, wood, stick
Kerekere = Please
koro = village
kula is the national bird of Fiji
lailai = small
lako = to go
lako mai = to come
lako tani = to go
Lakoga, Sa kuvu na buka! = Do it, no one will know!
levu = big
macava = week
madrai = bread
mahumanu = bird
manu = bird
marama = woman
mataka = morning
matanitu Tugalal o Viti = Republic of Fiji
moce = to sleep
Moce mada! = Goodnight!
Ni sa bula = Hello / Hi (pronounced nee sar bula)
Ni sa yadra = Good morning (pronounced nee sar yarndra)
nikua - today
nuku = sand
oti = to finish
raisi = rice
Sa moce = Goodbye (pronounced sa more there)
sala = road
Sega = No
Sega na lena! = No worries!
sele = knife
siga = sun, day, sunny
sitoa - shop, store
siwa = fish
Sota tale! = See you again! (pronounced soh-tah-tah-lay)
sucu - milk
tagane = man
tekivu = to start
totoka sara = very beautiful
Tulou / Jilou = Excuse me
vaka levee = a lot
vaka lailai = a little
Vakava tiko = How are you?
via kana = hungry
Vinaka! = Thank you!
Vinaka vakavelu! = Thank you very much!
Vosota! = Sorry!
Yadra = Morning
Yadra vinaka! = Good morning!
Yalo vinaka = Please (pronounced yarlo veenarka)
And to round of, the numbers from one to ten:
1 dua
2 rua
3 tolu
4 va
5 lima
6 ono
7 vitu
8 walu
9 ciwa
10 tini
Vakanuinui vinaka na siga nikau!
Have a nice day!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TbxkUBYyZlo
LINKS
https://www.travelonline.com/fiji/language
https://www.tripsavvy.com/how-to-speak-the-fijian-language-1532878
https://www.entiretravel.com.au/articles/speak-fijian-18-basic-words-and-phrases-to-learn
https://scholarspace.manoa.hawaii.edu/bitstream/10125/62912/9780824881658.pdf
https://www.myfiji.com/fiji-travel-guides/about-fiji/fiji-language-basic-phrases/