Lesson 5 Fruits & Vegetables (Vuanikau kei na Kakana Draudrau)
Lesson 5 Fruits & Vegetables In Fiji, food is life. You’ll hear the term “Kakana dina” (True food), which refers to heavy root crops that provide energy for village work.
1. The Staples (Kakana Dina / Root Crops)
| English | Fijian | Pronunciation |
| Cassava | Tavioka | Tah-vee-oh-kah |
| Taro | Dalo | Nda-lo |
| Sweet Potato | Kumala | Koo-mah-lah |
| Yam | Uvi | Oo-vee |
2. Fruits (Vuanikau)
| English | Fijian | Pronunciation |
| Banana | Jaina / Vudi | Chai-nah / Voo-ndee |
| Coconut (green) | Bu | Mboo |
| Coconut (ripe) | Niu | Nee-oo |
| Pineapple | Painapiu | Pie-nah-pee-oo |
| Papaya | Weleti / Olesi | Way-let-ee / Oh-lay-see |
Teacher’s Tip: Jaina is the banana you eat raw (sweet), while Vudi is the plantain you cook or boil.
Daily Important Conversation: At the Market
The market is a noisy, vibrant place. You’ll need to know if the produce is good.
- You: Sa dreu na weleti oqo? (Is this papaya ripe?)
- Seller: Io, sa dreu vinaka. (Yes, it is perfectly ripe.)
- You: Vinaka. Au vinakata e dua na tavioka. (Thanks. I want one cassava.)
- Seller: Sega, oqo e dua na i-vesu. (No, this is one bundle.)
Key Vocab for the Garden:
- Dreu: Ripe
- Droka: Raw / Uncooked
- Buta: Cooked / Done
- i-Vesu: A bundle (how they tie dalo or fish together)
Small Test 5: The Grocery List
Translate these into Fijian:
- Ten bananas.
- One green coconut.
- Is the cassava cooked? (Hint: Use Sa buta…)
- I want taro. (Hint: Use Au vinakata…)