haʻu
The Tongan phrase for "come over" is haʻu.
haʻu is a verb used to describe the action of getting to or arriving at a place.
Meaning: to get to a place (verb)
Did you know?
- Tongan uses a complex system of social registers, meaning you would use different words for 'come over' depending on whether you are speaking to a commoner or a member of the royal family.
- While English uses 'come over' for almost any arrival, Tongan speakers often select verbs based on the specific terrain or whether the arrival is by sea or land.
- Because Tongan is a VSO (Verb-Subject-Object) language, haʻu typically appears at the very beginning of the sentence, unlike the English 'come over' which follows the subject.
Examples in context
- Haʻu ʻi he ʻapi.Come over to the house.
Example conversation
Tevita is inviting Mele to visit him.
- TevitaMele, haʻu ki he faliú.Mele, come over to the house.
- MeleʻE lava ke u haʻu ʻafo.I can come down.
- TevitaʻOku ʻi ai ha kai.There is food here.
- MeleʻOku ou haʻu atu atu.I am coming over now.
