Traveling with Kids

1. Ko fē ʻa e potu taʻalo maʻae fānau?

   Ko fē ʻa e po-tu ta-ʻa-lo ma-ʻae fā-nau?

   Where is the playground for children?

   Usage

   When looking for a place for children to play

   Grammar Note

   "Ma'ae" (for the benefit of) is a benefactive preposition. "Fānau" broadly means "family/children" in Tongan.

2. ʻOku ʻi ai ha meʻakai maʻae fānau?

   ʻO-ku ʻi ai ha me-ʻa-kai ma-ʻae fā-nau?

   Is there a children's menu?

   Usage

   When asking for a children's menu at a restaurant

   Grammar Note

   "Me'akai" = "me'a" (thing) + "kai" (to eat), meaning "thing to eat" = food.

3. ʻOku ou fiemaʻu ha nofoʻanga maʻae pēpē.

   ʻO-ku ou fi-e-ma-ʻu ha no-fo-ʻa-nga ma-ʻae pē-pē.

   I need a high chair for the baby.

   Usage

   When requesting a baby chair at a restaurant

   Grammar Note

   "Nofoanga" = "nofo" (to sit) + "anga" (place of action), meaning "place to sit" = chair.

4. ʻOku safeiti ki he fānau?

   ʻO-ku sa-fei-ti ki he fā-nau?

   Is it safe for children?

   Usage

   When checking if an activity or place is safe for children

   Grammar Note

   "Safeiti" is borrowed from English "safety." "Ki he fānau" (for/towards the children) is a prepositional phrase indicating the target.

5. Kuo ngalo ʻeku fānau.

   Ku-o nga-lo ʻe-ku fā-nau.

   My child is lost.

   Usage

   When seeking help because a child is missing

   Grammar Note

   "Kuo" (perfect aspect) + "ngālo" (to be lost) expresses "has become lost." An important phrase for emergencies.

6. Ko fē ʻa e potu tauhi pēpē?

   Ko fē ʻa e po-tu tau-hi pē-pē?

   Where is the baby care room?

   Usage

   When looking for a room for nursing or baby care

   Grammar Note

   "Potu tauhi pēpē" (room for baby care) is a noun-verb compound modifier structure. "Tauhi" is also used for "to save/store."

7. ʻOku ʻi ai ha totongi māʻulalo maʻae fānau?

   ʻO-ku ʻi ai ha to-to-ngi mā-ʻu-la-lo ma-ʻae fā-nau?

   Is there a discount for children?

   Usage

   When checking for children's discounted rates at attractions or transport

   Grammar Note

   "Ma'ulalo" = "ma'u" (to have) + "lalo" (low/below), meaning "in a low state." In the context of prices, it means "discounted/cheap."

8. ʻOku ou fiemaʻu ha sila ki he fānau.

   ʻO-ku ou fi-e-ma-ʻu ha si-la ki he fā-nau.

   I would like a sticker for the children.

   Usage

   When asking for children's souvenirs or stickers at tourist spots

   Grammar Note

   "Sila" is borrowed from English "sticker." Commonly used in tourist spots with children's activities.

9. Ko e hā ʻa e ngāue taʻalo ʻoku ʻi ai maʻae fānau?

   Ko e hā ʻa e ngā-u-e ta-ʻa-lo ʻo-ku ʻi ai ma-ʻae fā-nau?

   What activities are available for children?

   Usage

   When asking about children's activities at a hotel or tourist attraction

   Grammar Note

   "Ngāue ta'alo" = "ngāue" (activity/work) + "ta'alo" (play/game), meaning "play activity."

10. Ko e hā ʻa e taʻu ʻo e fānau?

    Ko e hā ʻa e ta-ʻu ʻo e fā-nau?

    How old is the child?

    Usage

    When checking a child's age (for pricing or entry restrictions)

    Grammar Note

    "Ko e hā ʻa e taʻu" (what is the age) is the Tongan way to ask about quantity or age. "ʻO e fānau" (of the child) is a genitive phrase.

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