Post Office

1. Ko fē ʻoku ʻi ai ʻa e ʻōfisi meili?

   Where is the post office?

   Usage

   Asking for the location of the post office

   Grammar Note

   "ʻŌfisi" = office (from English). "Meili" is borrowed from English "mail"; "ʻi ai" marks existence. Tonga Post's main office is in Nukuʻalofa. "Faleʻi" means "to advise / advice", not a building.

2. ʻOku ou loto ke fekauʻi ʻa e tohi ko ʻeni

   I want to send this letter

   Usage

   Requesting to send a letter

   Grammar Note

   "Fekauʻi" = send/dispatch. "Tohi" = writing/letter/document. "Loto ke" = want to. International mail from Tonga typically takes 1–2 weeks.

3. Ko e hā ʻa e totongi ke fekauʻi ki Siapani?

   How much does it cost to send to Japan?

   Usage

   Asking about the postage to send internationally

   Grammar Note

   "Siapani" is Tongan for Japan ("Ko e Siapani au" = "I am Japanese"). Many country names in Tongan are loanwords. "Ko e hā ʻa e totongi" = "how much is the cost?".

4. ʻOku ou loto ke fekauʻi ʻa e pākete ko ʻeni

   I want to send this package

   Usage

   Requesting to send a parcel

   Grammar Note

   "Pākete" is borrowed from English "packet/package." "Fekauʻi" = send/dispatch. From Tonga, packages can be sent by air mail (meili vakapuna) or sea mail (meili vaka).

5. ʻOku ou loto ke fakaʻaongaʻi ʻa e meili vakapuna

   I want to use airmail

   Usage

   Choosing airmail for faster delivery

   Grammar Note

   "Meili" = mail (loanword), "vakapuna" = aeroplane. "Meili vakapuna" = airmail (sea mail is "meili vaka"). "Fakaʻaongaʻi" = use/utilise (faka- prefix + aonga = useful/beneficial).

6. ʻE fuoloa ʻe fiha ke aʻu ʻa e meili?

   How long will the mail take to arrive?

   Usage

   Asking about delivery time

   Grammar Note

   "ʻE fuoloa ʻe fiha" = How long (will it take)? "Fiha" = how many/much (question word). "Aʻu" = arrive/reach. International mail from Tonga can take 2–4 weeks by sea.

7. ʻOku ou loto ke fakatau ʻa e siamipolo

   I want to buy stamps

   Usage

   Buying stamps at the post office

   Grammar Note

   "Siamipolo" is borrowed from English "stamp" (phonologically adapted). "Fakatau" = buy/trade. Tongan stamps featuring local scenery, marine life, and royalty are popular with collectors.

8. Ko e hā ʻa e fika meili ʻo Tonga?

   What is the postal code of Tonga?

   Usage

   Asking about postal codes or address details

   Grammar Note

   "Fika" = number/figure, "meili" = mail. Tongan postal codes are 4 digits (e.g., Nuku'alofa = 1100). Addresses in Tonga can be written in both Tongan and English.

9. ʻOku ou ʻamanaki ke maʻu ha tohi meili

   I am expecting to receive mail

   Usage

   Letting someone know you are waiting for mail

   Grammar Note

   "ʻAmanaki ke" = expect to / anticipate. "Maʻu" = receive/have. "Tohi meili" = mail/letter (tohi=written document + meili=mail).

10. Fakamolemole, ʻoua naʻa tatala ʻa e pākete

    Please do not open the package

    Usage

    Instructing not to open a package

    Grammar Note

    "ʻOua naʻa" = please don't (polite prohibition). "Tatala" = open. "Fakamolemole" at the start adds politeness. Tonga customs require declaration for packages above a certain value.

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