Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Pronunciation
The majority of letters are pronounced as in spoken English, although the first
vowel
in a
word is usually emphasized. Some vowels are drawn out, in which case they are marked with
a macron (ā). More awkward to pronounce are the
consonants
:
b
is pronounced “mb” with a soft m as in nu
mb
er
c
is pronounced as a “th” sound as in mo
th
er
d
sounds like the “nd” in sa
nd
y
g
has a soft “ng” sound as in si
ng
er
q
has a harder “ngg” as in fi
ng
er
r
is usually rolled
Once the above system is mastered,
place names
begin to make sense. For example, Lakeba
is pronounced “Lakemba”, Nadi becomes “Nandi” and Beqa is pronounced “Mbenga”.
BASIC PHRASES
hello (polite)
(nī sā) bula
yes
io
no
sega
please
yalo vinaka, mada
thank you (very much)
vinaka (vakalevu)
good morning (polite)
(nī sā) yadra
what is your name? (polite)
o cei na yacamu (nī)?
my name is …
na yacaqu o …
where are you from?
o nī lako mai vei?
I'm from …
au lako mai …
who?
cei?
where?
vei?
what?
cawa?
when?
naica?
how many?
vica?
it's ok
sa vinaka
no problem
sega na leqa
excuse me
tulou
I'm sorry
lomana
go away
lako tani
stop!
kua!
slow down!
malua!
