Massage & Spa

1. ʻOku ou fiemaʻu ha tāmate kona.

   ʻO-ku ou fi-e-ma-ʻu ha tā-ma-te ko-na.

   I would like to get a massage

   Usage

   Basic phrase to request a massage

   Grammar Note

   "Tāmate kona" is the expression used for massage (its exact sense is not certain). Tongan traditional healing touches overlap with relaxation massage

2. Fakamolemole tāmate mālohi.

   Fa-ka-mo-le-mo-le tā-ma-te mā-lo-hi.

   Please give a strong massage

   Usage

   Used to request firm pressure during massage

   Grammar Note

   "Mālohi" means strong/powerful, used to indicate desired massage pressure. "Fakamolemole" (please) makes it a polite request

3. Fakamolemole tāmate māmā.

   Fa-ka-mo-le-mo-le tā-ma-te mā-mā.

   Please massage gently

   Usage

   Used to request a gentle, light massage

   Grammar Note

   "Māmā" means light/gentle, the opposite of "mālohi" (strong). Communicating pressure preference is essential in any massage service

4. ʻOku tiga ʻeku tuʻa.

   ʻO-ku ti-ga ʻe-ku tu-ʻa.

   My back is sore

   Usage

   Used to tell the therapist where you have pain

   Grammar Note

   "Tiga" is the general adjective for pain/soreness. "Tuʻa" means back. "ʻEku" is the 1st person singular possessive used for body parts

5. Fakamolemole fakaʻaongaʻi e lolo niu.

   Fa-ka-mo-le-mo-le fa-ka-ʻao-nga-ʻi e lo-lo ni-u.

   Please use coconut oil

   Usage

   Used to request the use of coconut oil in the massage

   Grammar Note

   "Lolo" means oil/grease, "niu" means coconut. "Lolo niu" (coconut oil) is essential in traditional Tongan massage — it softens skin and has cultural significance

6. Ko e hā ʻa e totongi ʻo e tāmate kona?

   Ko e hā ʻa e to-to-ngi ʻo e tā-ma-te ko-na?

   What is the price of a massage?

   Usage

   Used to ask about the cost of a massage before booking

   Grammar Note

   "Ko e hā ʻa e totongi" is the standard price question. "ʻo e" is the genitive/relational marker "of the"

7. ʻOku lelei ʻaupito.

   ʻO-ku le-lei ʻau-pi-to.

   It feels really good

   Usage

   Used during massage to express that it feels good

   Grammar Note

   "Lelei" is a core Tongan adjective meaning good/fine. "ʻAupito" intensifies it. This is an easy, natural way to give positive feedback during a massage

8. Fakamolemole loto holo ʻi heni.

   Fa-ka-mo-le-mo-le lo-to ho-lo ʻi he-ni.

   Please focus on this area

   Usage

   Used to direct the therapist to focus on a specific area

   Grammar Note

   "Loto holo" means to concentrate/apply full attention — from "loto" (inside/heart) + "holo" (throughout). "ʻi heni" means here/at this place

9. Fakaʻosiʻosi pe.

   Fa-ka-ʻo-si-ʻo-si pe.

   Just a little, please

   Usage

   Used to ask for just a little treatment or when feeling pain

   Grammar Note

   "Fakaʻosiʻosi" means just a little/at the end. "Pe" is a limiting particle meaning only/just. Useful when you need the therapist to ease up due to pain or sensitivity

10. Mālō ʻaupito hoʻo tauhi.

    Mā-lō ʻau-pi-to ho-ʻo tau-hi.

    Thank you very much for your care

    Usage

    Used to sincerely thank the massage therapist

    Grammar Note

    "Mālō" is Tongan's thanks expression, intensified by "ʻaupito" (very much). "Tauhi" means to care for/attend to — used here for professional care

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