School & Education

1. ʻOku ʻi fē ʻa e ako?

   Where is the school?

   Usage

   Asking for the location of a school

   Grammar Note

   "ako" functions as both a verb (to learn) and a noun (school). This double function is common in Tongan.

2. ʻOku ou ako ʻa e lea faka-Tonga

   I am learning the Tongan language

   Usage

   Saying you are studying a language

   Grammar Note

   "lea faka-Tonga" means "the Tongan-style language." The prefix "faka-" adds the sense of "in the manner of."

3. Ko hoku faiako ʻoku lelei ʻaupito

   My teacher is very good

   Usage

   Complimenting a teacher

   Grammar Note

   "faiako" = "fai" (do/make) + "ako" (learn/teach). The compound means teacher.

4. ʻOku ʻikai te u ʻilo ʻa e tali

   I don't know the answer

   Usage

   Admitting you don't know the answer in class

   Grammar Note

   "ʻikai" is the negator, "ʻilo" = to know/understand, "tali" = answer. NOTE: in a negative sentence the subject pronoun is placed after "ʻikai", giving "ʻoku ʻikai te u + verb". The order "ʻOku ou ʻikai" is wrong.

5. ʻE lava ke ke toe fakamatala?

   Could you please explain again?

   Usage

   Asking for clarification or a repeated explanation in class

   Grammar Note

   "ʻE lava ke ke + verb" is a polite request ("could you …?"). "Toe" = again ("Kātaki ʻo toe fai", "Fakamolemole, toe pehē mai"). "Fakamatala" = to explain / relate. NOTE: "fakaʻamu" means "to wish / hope" ("ʻOku toe fakaʻamu ke u ʻaʻahi…" = I hope to visit again), not "explain"; and "ʻoku ʻikai" means "is not", not "again".

6. ʻOku ou fiemaʻu ha tohi

   I want to get a book / textbook

   Usage

   Requesting a book or textbook at school

   Grammar Note

   "tohi" is a versatile word for book, document, or letter. "ha" is the indefinite article.

7. ʻOku ʻi fē ʻa e falelaukau?

   Where is the library?

   Usage

   Asking for the location of a library

   Grammar Note

   "falelaukau" = "fale" (house/building) + "laukau" (books/documents). A classic Tongan compound meaning library.

8. ʻOku ou fai ha sivi

   I am taking an exam

   Usage

   Saying you are currently sitting an exam

   Grammar Note

   "Sivi" = test / examination (e.g. "Sivi hoʻo sipela" = check your spelling, "Sivi ho tuʻasila" = check your address, "Sivi ʻo e suka" = diabetes screening). "Fai ha …" = to do something. NOTE: "fakamaau" means "to judge / trial / judgement", not an exam, and "fakamatala" (to explain) does not mean "to answer".

9. ʻOku lahi ʻeku homueka

   I have a lot of homework

   Usage

   Saying you have a lot of schoolwork or homework

   Grammar Note

   Homework is "homueka". The possessive is a-class "ʻeku" (e.g. "naʻe ʻikai fai hoʻo homueká"), as in "ʻOku lahi ʻeku …" (e.g. "ʻoku lahi ʻeku mamahi"). NOTE: "hoku" is the wrong class.

10. Naʻe lelei ʻeku sivi

    My exam result was good

    Usage

    Reporting a good exam result

    Grammar Note

    "Naʻe" is the past tense marker; "lelei" (good/fine) works as a stative predicate with no copula. Exam is "sivi" (not "fakamaau", which means judgement). The possessive is a-class "ʻeku" because sitting an exam is something you do.

Browse all TravelPhrases languages