Bauan standard Fijian→English

Translate Bauan standard Fijian to English the way locals mean it.

Bauan standard Fijian often uses direction words, aspect markers, and softening particles in ways that make an apparently literal message sound more immediate, delayed, or inviting than it is in English.

Going the other way? English to Bauan standard Fijian

474 local dialects

AIRTranslate on iPhone choosing between Fijian varieties

What locals actually say

Au sa lako mai, kua ni leqataka.

I’m on my way, don’t worry.

Sa marks an action or state as current, while mai shows movement toward the speaker or listener, so lako mai means “come” or “be on the way here,” not simply “go.”

Au na qai raica mada.

I’ll see about it.

Na marks the future, qai postpones the action until later or until circumstances are clearer, and mada softens the statement, so this can signal a noncommittal promise rather than a firm decision.

Dou mai kana mada.

Come and have something to eat.

Mai marks movement toward the speaker, and mada softens the imperative into a warm invitation, so the phrase is not a blunt command to eat.

E vica na kena isau?

How much does it cost?

Kena isau is the Bauan standard Fijian price expression, with kena marking the item's associated price.

Dou gole i matau, saka.

Please turn right, sir or ma'am.

Dou addresses one person respectfully as well as a group, while saka signals the respectful vaka-turaga register.

Keitou na lako kei ira na luvequ.

We are going with my children.

Keitou is the exclusive we, signaling that the listener is not included, and luvequ is the possessive form for my child or children.

Au sa cakacaka tiko ena siga nikua.

I am working today.

Sa ... tiko is the Bauan standard Fijian ongoing-action construction, signaling that the work is in progress.

Sa tau tiko na uca.

It is raining.

Tau is the local verb used for rain falling, and tiko marks the continuing action.

Notes like these come with every AIRTranslate translation, so you learn why locals phrase it that way as you go.

How Bauan standard Fijian differs

Bauan standard Fijian; bula conventions and respectful vaka-turaga register where apt.

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Localization Notes explaining why locals say it that way