Essential Tongan Phrases

Sometimes you don't have time to learn long lists of words and phrases.
All you want to know are the bare essentials for communicating to get
what you need, or where you need to go.

Here are the bare minimum of Tongan words and phrases you need
to know to survive.

Learn the Top 10 Phrases if you only have time for the barest minimum.
If you need or want more, then take a look at the Top 20 Phrases,
Top 30 Phrases and the Extra Phrases.

Here are ten easy phrases to get you started ... The Top 10 ...
	Mālō a lelei. Hello. Nofo ā. (by the person leaving) 'Alu ā. (by the person staying) Goodbye. 'Oku ke lava 'o lea faka-pālangi? Do you speak English? 'Oku 'ikai ke mahino kiate au. I don't understand. Si'i si'i pē. A little. 'Io. 'Ikai. Yes. No. 'Oku fiha? How much is it? 'Oku fu'u mamafa. Sai pē. Too expensive. OK. Faka molemole. Please. Mālō ('aupiti). Thank you (very much).
Here are ten more phrases that will help you make new friends and ask for directions. The Top 20 ...
	Ko hai ho hingoa? What is your name? Ko hoku hingoa ko ... My name is ... Fēfē hake? How are you? Sai pē. Fēfē koe? Fine. And you? Ko fē 'a ...? Where is ...? Ko fē 'a e fale mālōlō? Tangata/Fafine Where is the toilet? Men/Women Faka molemole 'i au. Kātaki. Sorry. Excuse me. Sai pē ia. 'Oku 'ikai palopalema ia. No problem. 'Oku ou fiema'u ... I want ... 'Oku 'ikai ke u fiema'u ... I don't want ...
Here are another ten phrases to help you make a little more conversation and to get around. The Top 30 ...
	Ko ho'o ha'u mei fē fonua? Where are you from? Ko 'eku ha'u mei 'Ausitelēlia.* I am from Australia. 'E tohimo'ua, faka molemole. The bill, please. Kuo u mole au. I'm lost. Tu'u! Tatali! Stop! Wait! 'I heni, 'i hē. Here, there. Tekisī. Hotele. Mala'e vakapuna. Tau'anga pasi. Taxi. Hotel. Airport. Bus stop. 'Oku ou sai'ia ... I like ... 'Oku 'ikai ke u sai'ia ... I don't like ... taha, ua, tolu, fā, nima. one, two , three, four, five. ono, fitu, valu, hiva, hongofulu. six, seven, eight, nine, ten. *Or choose your country: 'Amelika - America Kānata - Canada 'Ingilani - England 'Aealani - Ireland Nu'u Sila - New Zealand
Here are some extra words and phrases you might find useful, especially if you have dietary needs or allergies. Useful extras ...
	'Ofa atu! Cheers! lelei / kovi good / bad lahi / ki'i big / small ofi / mama'o near / far si'i / lahi less / more moe taha / fa'unga another one / enough 'Oku 'ikai ke u kai kakano'i manu. I am vegetarian. 'Oku 'ikai ke u kai kakano'i manu. I don't eat meat. ... moa. ... chicken. ... ika. ... fish. 'Oku kovi kia 'au nati. I am allergic to nuts. ... pīnati. ... peanuts. ... ika. ... fish. ... me'akai tahi. ... seafood. ... fo'i moa. ... eggs.