Almost everyone in Fiji speaks English - as it is the official language of Fiji, but the Fijian language is preserved and widely spoken in many different dialects. Almost everyone is bilingual and many Fijian terms are included in everyday English usage. It is handy to know some of the more common words and phrases, and the Fijians will be delighted to know you picked up some of their language.

Fijian pronunciation is similar to English, but with a few changes to the phonetic alphabet. Below is a brief guide which will bring you close to the correct pronunciations. The best way to learn, since there are many subtleties, is to have a Fijian instruct you and then listen closely.

Fijian Language Pronunciation

* "a" is "ah" as in father, but shorter. The correct pronunciation of Nadi, is closer to "Nahn-di" than "Nan-di".
* "b" is "mb" as in bamboo. you'll hear "bula" or "hello" many times. You may notice the slight humming "m", almost silent at the beginning. When something precedes the "b", then the "m" sound becomes more pronounced. The formal "hello", Ni Sa Bula, is pronounced "ni sahm" boola".
* "c" is "th" as in "this". So "moce" meaning goodbye is pronounced "moe-they".
* "d" is "nd" as in candy.
* "g" is "ng" as in singer.
* "i" is"i" as in sit or "ee" as in routine.
* "o" is "ngg" as in finger. The island of Beqa is pronounced "Mbeng-gah".
* "u" is"oo" as in bamboo or "u" as in put.

Basic English/Fijian Translations

English	Fijian
good morning	ni sa yadra (ni sah yan dra)
hello!	bula(mbula)
goodbye	ni sa moce (ni sa mothey)
please	yalo vinaka (yalo vee naka)
excuse me	tulou (too low)
yes	io(ee-o)
thank you	vinaka (vee naka)
no	seqa (senga)
eat	kana (kana)
village	koro
lady	marama
mister	turaga (tu rang ah)
little	vaka lailai (vaka lie lie)
plenty	vaka levu (vaka ley vu)
quickly	vaka totolo (vaka toe toe lo)
house	vale/bure (valey/mburey)
toilet	vale lailai (vale lie lie)
come	lako mai (la ko my)
go	lako tani (la ko tanee)
bring	kauta mai (ka ou tah my)
one more	dua tale (ndua ta lay)
one	dua (ndua)
two	rua
what is this	na cava oqo (na thava on go)
drink	gunu (goo noo)
coconut	niu (new)
I want	au vinakata (aoo vina kahta)
church	vale ni lotu (vahle nee lohtoo)
shop	sitoa (seetoah)