kaungāmeʻa lelei taha
The English phrase 'best friend' is translated into Tongan as kaungāmeʻa lelei taha.
kaungāmeʻa lelei taha is used to refer to an especially close and trusted friend.
Meaning: an especially close and trusted friend (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of kaungāmeʻa (friend), lelei (good) and taha (one/single).
How does it change in a sentence?
In Tongan, the adjective lelei (good) and the number taha (one) follow the noun kaungāmeʻa (friend) to modify it.
Did you know?
- Tongan culture places a high premium on fakaʻapaʻapa or respect, which often dictates how one interacts with a kaungāmeʻa lelei taha depending on their social rank.
- In Tongan, the concept of a 'best friend' often extends to 'chosen family', where a kaungāmeʻa lelei taha may be treated with the same loyalty as a blood sibling.
- While kaungāmeʻa means friend, Tongan has other specific words for friendship that depend on whether the bond is based on work, village ties or spiritual connection.
Examples in context
- ʻOku fakaʻofoʻofa e kaungāmeʻa lelei taha.A best friend is wonderful.
Example conversation
Viliami and Mele are talking about their childhood.
- ViliamiKo koe ʻaʻaku kaungāmeʻa lelei taha.You are my best friend.
- MeleMālō, Viliami. Ko koe foki ʻaʻaku kaungāmeʻa lelei taha.Thanks, Viliami. You are my best friend too.
- ViliamiʻOku tau ʻilo ʻaʻaku kotoa.We know everything about each other.
- MeleʻOku faiaʻi ko iá.That is true.
