Language/Fijian/Vocabulary/Geography
Hi Fijian learners! 😊
In this lesson, we will be learning new Fijian vocabulary related to geography. By the end of this lesson, you should be able to identify and describe various geographic features around you using Fijian language. Don't forget to practice with native Fijian speakers and ask them any questions. Let's start!
Landforms[edit | edit source]
Fiji is a beautiful island country located in the South Pacific Ocean. With a total of 333 islands, Fiji is known for its picturesque landscapes and stunning natural wonders. Here are some Fijian words related to landforms:
| Fijian | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Vanua | (vah-noo-ah) | Land |
| Waitui | (wah-ee-too-ee) | Sea |
| Vanua Levu | (vah-noo-ah lay-voo) | Big land (referring to the second-largest island in Fiji) |
| Viti Levu | (vee-tee lay-voo) | Great Fiji (referring to the largest island in Fiji) |
| Bukuya | (boo-koo-yah) | Woods/forest |
| Nuku | (noo-koo) | Cape |
| Vatu | (vah-too) | Rock |
| Ucuwai | (oo-choo-why) | River |
- Person 1: Sa qai dua na ucuwai ka levu talega e Vanua Levu. (There is a big river in Vanua Levu.)
- Person 2: Io, nai colacola kecega e bati na ucuwai ko ya. (Yes, all the villages along that river rely on it.)
Bodies of Water[edit | edit source]
Fiji is an archipelago, which means it consists of many islands surrounded by bodies of water. Here are some Fijian words related to bodies of water:
| Fijian | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Viti | (vee-tee) | Fiji |
| Wasawasa | (wah-sah-wah-sah) | Ocean/sea |
| Tabua-ni-wai | (tahm-boo-ah-nee-wah-ee) | Lagoon |
| Bati ni vanua | (bah-tee nee vah-noo-ah) | Bay |
| Ese'ese | (eh-seh-eh-seh) | River mouth |
- Person 1: Valelevu sa dua na batini vanua levu vaka ki nai wasawasa. (Valelevu is a large bay facing the ocean.)
- Person 2: Sa dede ga ni sega ni tiko yawa mai na ese'ese ni ucuwai ko ya. (It is not far from the river mouth.)
- Person 1: Sa sega ni raitaka na macawa ni high tide kei low tide sa oti tiko mai Valelevu. (You can't really tell the difference between high tide and low tide at Valelevu.)
- Person 2: Io, ni sa vaqara na tabua-ni-wai sa vakavolivoliti Valelevu, ka sa sega ni tauvi mate kina na sinai i vu-ni-ca. (Yes, the lagoon surrounding Valelevu is teeming with fish and coral reefs.)
Mountains and Hills[edit | edit source]
Fiji has a mountainous terrain, with the highest point being Mount Tomanivi on Viti Levu. Here are some Fijian words related to mountains and hills:
| Fijian | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Cagi | (thahng-gee) | Wind |
| Wai-ni-sucu | (wah-ee-nee-soo-thoo) | Spring water |
| Uluiqalau | (oo-loo-ee-nga-lah-oo) | Name of the highest peak in Fiji (on the island of Viti Levu) |
| Doddamomo-i-ra | (dohng-dah-moh-moh-ee-rah) | Hills |
- Person 1: Sa madaga nai cagi e ulu-ni-vanua ko ya. (It is very windy on that mountain.)
- Person 2: Io, kakua ni suivaka tu na wai-ni-sucu sa tanitaka. (Yes, you should not drink the spring water up there.)
- Person 1: Sa sega ni raitaka na Doddamomo-i-ra niu colataki mai biniga waqa. (You cannot see the hills from the beach.)
- Person 2: Io, tawa mudu taucoko ga na koro cinacina sa tiko mai ra. (Yes, there are many villages situated in those hills.)
Islands and Reefs[edit | edit source]
Fiji is an archipelago with many islands and coral reefs. Here are some Fijian words related to islands and reefs:
| Fijian | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Moce | (moth-eh) | Island |
| Ceva-i-ra | (theh-vah-ee-rah) | Beach |
| Koro | (koh-roh) | Village |
| Damudamu-ni-siga | (dah-moo-dah-moo-nee-see-gah) | Coral reef |
- Person 1: Sa sega ni yaco lai mai na veimama e damudamu-ni-siga ko ya. (The waves are not breaking on that coral reef.)
- Person 2: Io, sa rawa ni lako ki na Ceva-i-ra sa donui na damudamu-ni-siga ko ya. (Yes, you can access the beach facing that coral reef.)
- Person 1: Sa tu e moce kecega nai buli ni koro? (Is the village chief on every island?)
➡ If you have any questions, please ask them in the comments section below.
➡ Feel free to edit this wiki page if you think it can be improved. 😎
Other Lessons[edit | edit source]
- Drinks
- Express Surprise
- How to Say Hello and Greetings
- Animals
- Greetings
- Count to 10
- Feelings and Emotions
- Fruits
- Health
Sources[edit | edit source]