Lesson 10 Family Members & Titles (Na Vuvale)
Lesson 10 Family Members & Titles Fijian family terms can be specific, but for now, let’s focus on the most important ones you’ll use in general conversation.
1. Core Family (Yavu ni Vuvale) Lesson 10 Family Members & Titles
| English | Fijian | Pronunciation |
| Father | Tata / Tamana | Tah-tah / Tah-mah-nah |
| Mother | Nana / Tinana | Nah-nah / Tee-nah-nah |
| Grandfather | Tutu / Tukana | Too-too / Too-kah-nah |
| Grandmother | Bubu / Bunana | Mboo-mboo / Mboo-nah-nah |
| Child | Gone | Ng-oh-nay |
| Brother / Sister | Taciqu | Tah-thee-ng-koo (usually same sex) |
2. Possessives (My, Your, His/Her)
This is a tiny bit of grammar, but very useful:
- Noqu: My (e.g., Noqu vale – My house)
- Nomu: Your (e.g., Nomu koli – Your dog)
- Nona: His/Her (e.g., Nona tavioka – His/Her cassava)
Daily Important Conversation: Introductions
When you visit a home, your host will want to know about your people.
- Host: O cei na yacamu? (Who is your name? / What is your name?)
- You: Na yacaqu o [Your Name]. (My name is [Your Name].)
- Host: O cei o ya? (Who is that?)
- You: O ya na noqu Tata. (That is my father.)
- Host: Dou mai kana! (You all come and eat!)
Vocabulary List (Lesson 10)
- Vuvale: Family
- Vale: House / Home
- Itokani: Friend
- Goneyalewa: Girl
- Gonetagane: Boy
Small Test 10: The Family Tree
Using what you’ve learned, translate these:
- My mother.
- Your friend.
- The child is small.
- My house.
What’s Next?
In Lesson 11, we move to Parts of the Body and Health. This is important for daily life—whether you’re telling someone your head hurts from the sun or you’re just describing someone’s height.
Shall we move on to the body parts, or would you like to practice your family introductions first?