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Pacific greetings, farewells and phrases , Ngā reo Pasifika

Pacific Massey connects and supports Pacific students from many nationalities. Learn common greetings, farewells and phrases from some of those Pacific Island countries.

Pacific dresses

Cook Islands

Language: Te reo Māori Kuki ‘Āirani (Rarotonga Dialect)

Common greetings, farewells and phrases from Cook Islands
Cook Islands phrase English translation
Kia Orana Greetings
Ine Please
Meitaki Maata Thank you
Kia Manuia Farewell (To go well or be well)

Fiji

Language: Vosa Vakaviti

Common greetings, farewells and phrases from Fiji
Fijian phrase English translation
Ni sa bula / Namaste / Noaˈia ˈe mạuri* Greetings
Yalo vinaka Please
Vinaka Thank you
Au lako mada yani Excuse me (To get past someone)
Ni sa moce Goodbye

*Rotuma island

Kiribati

Language: Kiribatese (also known as Gilbertese or Ikiribati)

Common greeting from Kiribati
Kiribatese phrase English translation
Ko na mauri! Greetings

Nauru

Language: Nauruan

Common greeting from Nauru
Nauruan phrase English translation
Ekamowir Omo Greetings

Niue

Language: Vagahau Niue

Common greetings, farewells and phrases from Niue
Niuean phrase English translation
Fakaalofa lahi atu Greetings
Fakamolemole Please
Fakaaue/Oue tulou Thank you
Fano a koe Farewell (said to the person leaving)
Nofo a koe Farewell (said to the person staying)
Koe kia Goodbye

Papua New Guinea

Language: Tok Pisin

Common greetings, farewells and phrases from Papua New Guinea
Papua New Guinean phrase English translation
Gude/Hai Greetings/Hello
Plis Please
Tangkiu Thank you
Gutbai/Lukim yu bihain Goodbye

Samoa

Language: Gagana Samoa

Common greetings, farewells and phrases from Samoa
Samoan phrase English translation
Talofa lava Greetings
Fa’amolemole Please
Fa’afetai lava Thank you
Tulou Excuse me (to get past someone)
Tofā soifua Farewell

Tokelau

Language: Gagana Tokelau

Common greetings, farewells and phrases from Tokelau
Tokelauan phrase English translation
Fakafeiloaki Greetings
Tālofa Ni/ Mālo Ni Hello
Fakamolemole Please
Fakafetai lahi lele Thank You
Ke manuia te aho Have a nice day
Tofa Ni Farewell

Tonga

Language: Lea faka-Tongá

Common greetings, farewells and phrases from Tonga
Tongan phrase English translation
Malo e lelei Greetings
Fakamolemole Please
Malo ‘Aupito Thank you
Tulou Excuse me
‘Alu a Farewell (said to the person leaving)
Nofo a Farewell (said to the person staying)

Tuvalu

Language: Gana Tuvalu

Common greetings, farewells and phrases from Tuvalu
Tuvaluan phrase English translation
Talofa Greetings
Fakamolemole Please
Fakafetai lasi Thank you
Tofa Ia Farewell

Vanuatu

Language: Bislama

Common greetings, farewells and phrases from Vanuatu
Vanuatuan phrase English translation
Halo Greetings/Hello
Nem blong mi… My name is…
Plis Please
Tangkyu Thank you
Lukim Yu See you later