Numbers

1. taha

   ta-ha

   One

   Usage

   The number one; the most basic numeral in Tongan

   Grammar Note

   Tongan "taha" means one/single/same. It appears in many compound words like "fakataha" (together). Numbers in Tongan can precede or follow the noun depending on context

2. ua

   u-a

   Two

   Usage

   The number two

   Grammar Note

   Across Polynesian languages, two is "lua/ua/rua". Tongan uses "ua"

3. tolu

   to-lu

   Three

   Usage

   The number three

   Grammar Note

   "Tolu" (three) is shared across Polynesian languages — evidence of common Proto-Polynesian ancestry shared with Samoan, Fijian, Māori, Hawaiian, and others

4. fā

   Four

   Usage

   The number four; note the long vowel

   Grammar Note

   The macron marks long vowel length in Tongan — phonemically distinctive. "Fā" with the macron is the formal orthography; short "fa" is an error that can cause misunderstanding

5. nima

   ni-ma

   Five

   Usage

   The number five; "nima" also means hand/arm in Tongan

   Grammar Note

   "Nima" means both five and hand/arm — a Polynesian-wide feature reflecting hand-counting in the decimal system. The connection between five and the hand is universal

6. ono

   o-no

   Six

   Usage

   The number six

   Grammar Note

   "Ono" means six. Identical to Samoan, demonstrating the shared Proto-Polynesian root

7. fitu

   fi-tu

   Seven

   Usage

   The number seven

   Grammar Note

   Seven across Polynesian languages takes forms like "fitu/hitu/vitu" — all from the Proto-Polynesian root *fitu

8. valu

   va-lu

   Eight

   Usage

   The number eight

   Grammar Note

   "Valu" means eight — identical to Samoan. It is also a verb meaning to scratch/scrape; context distinguishes the two meanings

9. hiva

   hi-va

   Nine

   Usage

   The number nine; note "hiva" also means song/music

   Grammar Note

   Tongan "hiva" means both nine and song/music — context is essential for distinguishing them. Across Polynesian languages nine takes forms like "iva/hiva"

10. hongofulu

    ho-ngo-fu-lu

    Ten

    Usage

    The number ten; the base for forming larger numbers

    Grammar Note

    "Hongofulu" combines "hongo" (bundle) + "fulu" (ten-unit). Larger numbers: "hongofulu mā taha" (11), "uofulu" (20), etc.

11. teau

    te-au

    One hundred

    Usage

    The number hundred; used for prices and large quantities

    Grammar Note

    "Teau" means one hundred. Commonly used for prices in Tongan paʻanga (the Tongan currency).

12. ʻE fiha e totongi?

    ʻE fi-ha e to-to-ngi?

    How much does it cost?

    Usage

    A useful phrase to ask about price

    Grammar Note

    "ʻE fiha e totongi?" is the standard Tongan price question — one of the most practical phrases for shopping and travel

13. ʻOku uofulu mā fitu hoku taʻu

    ʻO-ku u-o-fu-lu mā fi-tu ho-ku ta-ʻu

    I'm 27 years old

    Usage

    How to answer with your age. Swap the number to give any other age

    Grammar Note

    Numbers in the twenties are "uofulu" (20) + "ma" + the unit. "Taʻu" = year/age and "hoku" is the first-person singular o-class possessive. This is the answer to "ʻOku fiha ho taʻu?" (How old are you?)

14. ʻE uofulu mā valu hoku taʻu ʻi he taʻu ni

    ʻE u-o-fu-lu mā va-lu ho-ku ta-ʻu ʻi he ta-ʻu ni

    I turn 28 this year

    Usage

    Used to state the age you reach in the current year

    Grammar Note

    Sentence-initial "ʻE" marks the future and pairs with present-tense "ʻOku". "Taʻu" covers both "year" and "age", which is why the same word appears twice

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