Schedule & Booking

1. Ko e hā ʻa e taimi ʻoku kamata ai?

   Ko e hā ʻa e tai-mi ʻo-ku ka-ma-ta ai?

   What time does it start?

   Usage

   When asking what time an event or activity begins

   Grammar Note

   "'Oku kamata ai" — "ai" is a relative pronoun meaning "thereat/at which time." It is a key functional word in forming relative clauses.

2. Ko e hā ʻa e taimi tatala ʻa e fale?

   Ko e hā ʻa e tai-mi ta-ta-la ʻa e fa-le?

   What are the opening hours?

   Usage

   When checking the opening hours of a shop or facility

   Grammar Note

   "Tatala" (to open) is the antonym of "tapuni" (to close). "Taimi tatala" (opening time) means "business hours" or "opening time."

3. ʻOku tāpuni ʻa e fale ʻi he taimi fē?

   ʻO-ku tā-pu-ni ʻa e fa-le ʻi he tai-mi fē?

   What time does it close?

   Usage

   When asking about closing time of a shop or facility

   Grammar Note

   "Taimi fē" (what time) = "taimi" (time) + "fē" (where/which). In Tongan, "fē" is a location question word also used for "which time."

4. Ko e hā ʻa e taimi mavahe ʻa e vakapuna?

   Ko e hā ʻa e tai-mi ma-va-he ʻa e va-ka-pu-na?

   What time does the plane depart?

   Usage

   When confirming a flight departure time

   Grammar Note

   "Vakapuna" = "vaka" (boat/vessel) + "puna" (to fly), meaning "flying vessel" = airplane. A creative Polynesian compound word formation.

5. Kuo liliu ʻa e polokalama.

   Ku-o li-li-u ʻa e po-lo-ka-la-ma.

   The schedule has been changed.

   Usage

   When announcing a change of schedule or timetable

   Grammar Note

   "Kuo" (perfect aspect) + "liliu" (to change) expresses "has been changed." "Polokalama" is borrowed from English "programme."

6. ʻAfē ʻa e ʻaho mālōlō?

   ʻA-fē ʻa e ʻa-ho mā-lō-lō?

   When is the holiday/day off?

   Usage

   When asking about holidays or regular closing days

   Grammar Note

   "ʻAho mālōlō" (resting day) = "ʻaho" (day) + "mālōlō" (to rest). "ʻAfē ʻa e …?" is the set form for "When is …?". In Tonga, Sunday (Sāpate) is the most important rest day.

7. ʻOku ou fie langa ha ʻaho ngāue.

   ʻO-ku ou fi-e la-nga ha ʻa-ho ngā-u-e.

   I want to make an appointment.

   Usage

   When making an appointment at a medical facility or service

   Grammar Note

   "Langa" (to build/establish) extends beyond physical construction to scheduling and setting up appointments. A versatile Tongan verb.

8. ʻOku ngāue ʻa e fale ʻi he ʻaho kotoa?

   ʻO-ku ngā-u-e ʻa e fa-le ʻi he ʻa-ho ko-to-a?

   Is the place open every day?

   Usage

   When checking if a facility or shop operates every day

   Grammar Note

   "Kotoa" (all/every) follows the noun it modifies to express totality. "'Aho kotoa" (every day) functions like "every day" in English.

9. Ko e hā ʻa e taimi ʻo e hakelehe?

   Ko e hā ʻa e tai-mi ʻo e ha-ke-le-he?

   What time is the ferry?

   Usage

   When checking the schedule of inter-island ferries

   Grammar Note

   "Hakelehe" refers to a large inter-island ferry in Tongan. With over 170 islands, inter-island transport is essential in Tonga.

10. ʻOku ʻi ai ha polokalama ki he māhina kahaʻu?

    ʻO-ku ʻi ai ha po-lo-ka-la-ma ki he mā-hi-na ka-ha-ʻu?

    Is there a schedule for next month?

    Usage

    When asking about future plans or schedules

    Grammar Note

    "Kahaʻu" means future/upcoming. "Māhina kahaʻu" (next month) literally means "the coming month."

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