lako tani
To say "go away" in Fijian, you use lako tani.
The phrase lako tani is used as an imperative command to tell someone to depart or leave a place.
Meaning: to depart or leave a place (verb)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the verb lako (to go) and the adverb tani (away/elsewhere).
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Using lako tani as a direct command can be perceived as blunt or rude depending on the tone and social context. There is also an informal way to say go away using Toso!
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase lako tani is used as an imperative command to tell someone to leave.
Did you know?
- While lako tani is a command to leave, the word lako is also the root for 'walking' and 'journeying' in many Austronesian languages, connecting Fijian to distant cousins in the Philippines and Indonesia.
- In some village contexts, instead of using a command, people might use softer, indirect language to suggest someone leave to avoid 'losing face'.
- If you use a very sharp, high-pitched tone when saying lako tani, it can sound much more aggressive and angry than the English 'go away' typically does.
Examples in context
- Toso!Go away
- Au kila ni o via lako tani.I know you want to go away.
- E dodonu me lako tani na gone.The child should go away.
Example conversation
Jone and Sereana are talking about leaving a gathering.
- JoneO iko mo lako tani?Are you going away?
- SereanaIo, au na lako tani niku.Yes, I will go away now.
- JoneMo sa lako mai.Go ahead then.
- SereanaVinaka, au na lako tani.Thank you, I am leaving.
