Greetings

1. Mālō e lelei

   Mā-lō e le-lei

   Hello / Well done / Welcome

   Usage

   The most common Tongan greeting, also used as praise meaning "well done"

   Grammar Note

   Tongan is a Polynesian language with basic VSO word order. "Mālō e lelei" literally means "it is good" — an exclamation used for greeting, praise, and thanks. The macron on ā marks a long vowel.

2. Mālō

   Mā-lō

   Thank you / Well done

   Usage

   Short form of thanks and praise, widely used in casual settings

   Grammar Note

   In Tongan, "Mālō" alone conveys thanks in many contexts. The macron (ā) marks a long vowel. The royal culture influences the richness of polite expressions.

3. ʻOfa atu

   ʻO-fa a-tu

   Goodbye / Love to you

   Usage

   Warm farewell expression literally meaning "love going to you"

   Grammar Note

   Tongan uses directionals like "atu" (away from speaker) and "mai" (toward speaker). The ʻokina (ʻ) marks a glottal stop and is phonemically distinctive.

4. Ko hoku hingoa ko...

   Ko ho-ku hi-ngo-a ko...

   My name is...

   Usage

   Self-introduction phrase. Fill in "..." with your name

   Grammar Note

   Tongan uses "ko" as an equative marker in identity sentences: "Ko [X] [Y]" = "X is Y." Pronouns vary by social register — a reflection of the royal hierarchy.

5. Fēfē hake?

   Fē-fē ha-ke?

   How are you?

   Usage

   Standard phrase to ask how someone is doing

   Grammar Note

   "hake" is an upward directional, giving the nuance "how are things going up for you?" The common reply is "Saiʻia" (I am fine).

6. Saiʻia

   Sai-ʻi-a

   I'm fine / I'm well

   Usage

   Reply to "Fēfē hake?" (How are you?)

   Grammar Note

   Tongan verb phrases use pre-verbal particles for tense/aspect. "Saiʻia" functions as a stative verb and can be used without an explicit subject.

7. ʻIo

   ʻI-o

   Yes

   Usage

   Affirmative reply

   Grammar Note

   The initial ʻokina (glottal stop) must not be omitted — it is phonemically distinctive. Tongan preserves one of the more conservative phonological systems among Polynesian languages.

8. ʻOku ʻikai

   ʻO-ku ʻi-kai

   No / That's not right

   Usage

   Negative reply

   Grammar Note

   "ʻikai" is the standard negator. "ʻOku" is the present-tense pre-verbal marker. "ʻikai" alone also means "no."

9. Kātaki

   Kā-ta-ki

   Please / Kindly

   Usage

   Polite expression used when making requests or asking permission

   Grammar Note

   "Kātaki" can be placed at the start or end of a sentence to add politeness. The ā is a long vowel held for two beats.

10. Fakamolemole

    Fa-ka-mo-le-mo-le

    Sorry / Please forgive me

    Usage

    Used when apologising; carries a nuance of asking for forgiveness

    Grammar Note

    "Faka-" is a productive prefix that verbalises and creates causatives. "fakamolemole" = "make smooth/gentle" → "please smooth things over / forgive me."

11. Mālō ʻaupito

    Mā-lō ʻau-pi-to

    Thank you very much

    Usage

    Used when you want to emphasise deep gratitude

    Grammar Note

    "ʻaupito" is an intensifying adverb. Tongan culture, shaped by its royal monarchy, places high value on polite gratitude. A special register (ʻeiki) exists for royalty.

12. ʻOku ou fiefia ke aʻu ki Tonga

    ʻO-ku ou fi-e-fi-a ke a-ʻu ki To-nga

    I am happy to come to Tonga

    Usage

    Expresses joy at visiting Tonga; a kind gesture to Tongan hosts

    Grammar Note

    "ke" introduces purpose/desiderative clauses. Basic present structure: "ʻOku" + subject + predicate. Tonga is Polynesia's only monarchy, currently under King Tupou VI.

13. ʻOku ʻi fē e falemālōlō?

    Where is the toilet/bathroom?

    Usage

    Practical phrase for asking where the toilet is. Essential when traveling.

    Grammar Note

    "ʻOku ʻi fē" asks for location. falemālōlō is fale (house) plus mālōlō (to rest). It is sometimes written as two words, "fale mālōlō", and the loanword "toileti" is also used.

14. ʻOku ʻikai te u lava ʻo lea fakatonga.

    I can't speak lea faka-Tonga

    Usage

    Used to explain you cannot speak Tongan. Helpful when someone addresses you in the language.

    Grammar Note

    "ʻikai" marks negation. "Lea faka-Tonga" (Tonga-style speech) is the official name of the Tongan language.

15. Te u toe haʻu.

    Te u to-e ha-ʻu.

    I'll come again

    Usage

    Said when leaving a shop or restaurant

16. Naʻaku fiefia ʻaupito.

    Na-ʻa-ku fi-e-fi-a ʻau-pi-to.

    I had a great time

    Usage

    Said as you part ways

17. Mālō, nofo ā!

    Mā-lō, no-fo ā!

    Thanks, see you

    Usage

    A casual farewell; "nofo ā" (to the one staying) and "'alu ā" (to the one leaving) form the standard Tongan goodbye pair

18. Mohe ā

    Mo-he ā

    Good night

    Usage

    Bedtime greeting in Tongan; mohe means "sleep"

19. ʻIo, mālō

    ʻI-o, mā-lō

    You're welcome

    Usage

    The closest reply to "Mālō" (thank you). Literally "yes, thank you" — Tongan has no exact one-to-one equivalent of "you're welcome"

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