alu ʻo kaukau
To go shower in Tongan is alu ʻo kaukau.
The term kaukau is used broadly to describe any form of bathing, whether the person is using a modern shower, a bucket of water or bathing in a river.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of alu (go), ʻo (to/for) and kaukau (to bathe/wash).
Did you know?
- In Tongan, the phrase alu ʻo kaukau is so versatile that it can be used when someone is jumping into the ocean for a swim rather than just cleaning themselves.
- The act of bathing is expressed through reduplication, where the root word kau meaning 'to swim' is repeated to create kaukau.
- The word alu shares a common ancestor with similar words across many Pacific islands, descending from the Proto-Polynesian root *qalu.
Examples in context
- Alu ʻo kaukau koe.Go shower.
- ʻOku ou alu ʻo kaukau foki.I am going to shower too.
Example conversation
Akuila and Mele are getting ready for dinner.
- AkuilaMele, te u alu ʻo kaukau.Mele, I am going to go shower.
- MeleKai e lalo, ʻoku mate fakamālie.Hurry up, the food is almost ready.
- AkuilaTe u alu ʻo kaukau vave.I will go shower quickly.
- MeleʻOku lelei, te u tatali.That's fine, I will wait.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries alu, kaukau, CC BY-SA 4.0.
