mōmoa
The Tongan word for dry is mōmoa.
The term is used as an adjective to describe something that is free from liquid or moisture.
Meaning: free from liquid or moisture (adj)
Did you know?
- In Tongan, the length of the vowels in mōmoa is not just a matter of pronunciation but a fundamental part of the word's identity. Shortening the vowels can turn a word describing 'dryness' into a completely different word with an unrelated meaning.
- When using mōmoa to describe food, you are often doing more than describing texture. It carries a negative connotation, implying the food is overcooked or unpleasantly parched.
- While mōmoa describes a lack of moisture, Tongan speakers often use different, more specific terms to describe the 'dryness' of the weather compared to the 'dryness' of a surface.
Examples in context
- ʻE mōmoa e laʻakalo.The clothes are dry.
Example conversation
Akuila and Ana are cleaning up after a rainstorm.
- Akuila‘Oku mōmoa leva e tōfī ‘eni?Is this cloth dry yet?
- Ana‘Io, kuo mōmoa foki.Yes, it is already dry.
- AkuilaTau hoko ki he tōfī kehé.Let's move to the other cloth.
- Ana‘Oku ‘ikai mōmoa ia.That one is not dry.
