Language/Fijian/Vocabulary/Asking-for-Directions
Asking for directions is an essential part of traveling. In this lesson, you will learn how to ask for directions in Fijian, as well as some vocabulary related to travel and transportation.
Modes of Transportation
Before you ask for directions, you should familiarize yourself with some Fijian transportation vocabulary. Here are some common modes of transportation in Fijian:
| Fijian | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| totolo | toe-toe-low | walking |
| seasea | say-a-say-a | cycling |
| viti | vee-tee | car |
| basi | bah-see | bus |
| tere | teh-reh | train |
| vakavanua | vah-kah-vah-noo-ah | plane |
| waqa | wah-nga | boat |
Asking for Directions
Now that you know some common modes of transportation, let's learn how to ask for directions in Fijian.
"Where is...?"
To ask where a certain place is, use the question word "savu" (saa-voo). "Savu" means "where" in Fijian. Here are some examples:
- "Savu na i-supermarket?" (saa-voo nah ee-soo-pah-maa-ket) - Where is the supermarket?
- "Savu na i-bank?" (saa-voo nah ee-bank) - Where is the bank?
- "Savu na i-railway station?" (saa-voo nah ee-rye-lway stah-shun) - Where is the railway station?
Note that "i-" is the Fijian article "the". You can place "i-" in front of the place you are looking for to make it more specific.
Giving Directions
If you are giving directions, you may use the following vocabulary:
| Fijian | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| tu mai | too my | come here |
| lako tani | lah-koh tah-nee | go there |
| vuki mada rua | voo-key mah-dah roo-ah | turn right |
| vuki mada vasu | voo-key mah-dah vah-soo | turn left |
| lako taudaku | lah-koh tah-oo-dah-koo | go straight |
Here are some example phrases:
- "Tu mai mai na i-bakery, lako tani me vuki mada rua." (too my my nah ee-bay-kery, lah-koh tah-nee meh voo-key mah-dah roo-ah) - Come here to the bakery, then go there and turn right.
- "Lako taudaku, qarauna na vei raraba." (lah-koh tah-oo-dah-koo, ngah-rah-oo-nah nah vay rah-rah-mbah) - Go straight and watch for the intersection.
- "Raica, e dua na koro ka lako tani, o vuki mada vasu." (rah-eetha, eh doo-ah nah koh-roh kah lah-koh tah-nee, oh voo-key mah-dah vah-soo) - Look, there's a village. Go there or turn left.
Conclusion
Congratulations! You have learned some essential Fijian vocabulary for travel and transportation, as well as how to ask for and give directions in Fijian. Keep practicing and exploring Fiji with confidence.