tagane tagane
The English phrase 'boyfriend' is translated into Fijian as tagane tagane.
The term is used to refer to a male partner in a romantic relationship.
Meaning: male partner in a romantic relationship (noun)
Did you know?
- Fijian kinship systems are so complex that a 'boyfriend' might technically be referred to by a term that describes his relationship to the woman's father.
- The use of reduplication, or repeating a word like tagane tagane, is a common linguistic feature in many Austronesian languages to change a word's meaning or emphasis.
- In many Fijian villages, traditional courtship rituals are much more structured than the casual concept of a 'boyfriend' implies.
Example conversation
Mere is introducing her partner to Sairusa.
- SairusaO cei na gone vakaivau oya?Who is that young man?
- MereO koya na noqu tagane tagane, o Joni.He is my boyfriend, Joni.
- SairusaSota vinaka, Joni.Nice to meet you, Joni.
- MereSota vinaka, Sairusa.Nice to meet you, Sairusa.
