This-That-That Thing There

Just like in English, some words can take on multiple meanings depending on how they're used.  Below are a few key words that youll hear constantly in Fijian Conversation.  Listen along with the audio for pronunciation then we'll look at some different sentences these words are used in.           


Oqo- This, Here, Now

Oqorri-That (near listener)  also means "Youve got it!," or "Thats it!"

Koya- That away from both speaker and listener

Ekeri-there (literally on the listener)

(press play on above audio for pronunciation help)


Example Usage


Conversation #1
between two people:  Malia and Stu 


Stu: Hey Malia Have you happened to seen my hat?                                      "E Malia, Oiko Bau raica na noqu i sala?"

 Malia :That hat there? (said pointing toward a hat across the room)                      "Ko na sala ga koya?"

Stu: No, its a different one                                                                                        "Sega, e dua tani. "

Malia: Whos hat is this here?                                                                                  "Ocei na nona sala oqo"                     (said picking up a hat from behind the couch)                                                                                    

Stu:  Thats my hat!                                                                                                   "Noqu sala Qorri!"
   

Conversation # 2
Marieta calling her husband Jonasa at his office...


(phone ringing)

(Secretary  Answers...)     
Same-----                                                                                         "hello thank you for calling office s  upplys"                                                                   

Marieta
Hi, is Jonasa there?                                                                         Bula, O Jonasa tiko qorri?

Secretary
Shucks, he just left now! Who might this be?                                    Isa, oKoya sa qai lako sara ga! Ocei beka qo? 

Marieta
This is his wife, Malia.  Did he say where hes going?                    Na Watina oqo, O Marieta.  E tukuna beka na vanua                                                                                                         e gole kina?

Secretary
oh hi Marieta!
he said he was just going shopping then returning home.               Oi Bula Marieta e tukuna sa lei volivoli ga qai
                                                                                                         lesu tale i vale.

Marieta
ok, thanks very much                                                                        Sa donu, Vinaka valevu

Secretary
Thanks                                                                                              Naka




Click Below to hear audio



(Ps, these are not direct translations.  "Moce toka" doesn't simply mean "Goodnight")  these Fijian translations are without native speaker input and very may well be incomplete.  If you are a Native speaker and you can think of a better way of saying these things in Fijian please share in the comment section below.  Vinaka!

Great Job! you finished this lesson!   Click here to read Part two of this assigment