pasikala
The English word "bike" is translated into Tongan as pasikala.
pasikala is used to refer to a bicycle.
Meaning: bicycle (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word pasikala is a loanword derived from the English word "bicycle".
Did you know?
- Because Tongan lacks the 'b' sound in its native phonology, the English 'b' in 'bicycle' is often softened or shifted to a 'p' sound in pasikala.
- If you were to say 'pasikala' in a formal Tongan speech, it would sound perfectly natural despite its obvious foreign roots.
- Because Tongan is an Austronesian language, the word pasikala is integrated into a sentence structure where the verb usually comes before the subject.
Examples in context
- ʻOku fakaʻaongaʻi e pasikala ʻe Sione.Sione uses the bicycle.
Example conversation
Tevita and Losa are talking about transportation.
- TevitaʻOku ʻi ai ha pasikala?Is there a bike?
- LosaʻIo, ʻoku ʻi ai.Yes, there is.
- TevitaʻE lava ke u hēʻē ki ai?Can I ride it?
- LosaʻIo, Tevita, hēʻē ki he pasikala.Yes, Tevita, ride the bike.
