ʻalu ʻo mohe
The English phrase "go sleep" is translated into Tongan as ʻalu ʻo mohe.
This phrase is a directive used to tell someone to go to bed or to go to sleep.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the verb ʻalu (go), the particle ʻo (to/for) and the verb mohe (sleep).
How does it change in a sentence?
The particle ʻo is used here to link the movement verb to the intended action.
Did you know?
- Because Tongan is a highly stratified society, the phrase ʻalu ʻo mohe can change completely depending on whether you are speaking to a commoner or a member of the nobility.
- The word mohe is used specifically for the act of sleeping, but when Tongan speakers talk about 'dreaming', they use a word related to 'seeing', as if the dream is a visual experience.
- While mohe means 'sleep', Tongan has different words to distinguish between the act of falling asleep and the state of being asleep, a nuance not present in the English 'sleep'.
Examples in context
- ʻAlu ʻo mohe koe.Go sleep.
Example conversation
Tevita tells Ana it is getting late.
- TevitaKuo late e pō, Ana.It is late at night, Ana.
- AnaKa ʻoku ʻikai mohe au.But I am not sleepy.
- TevitaʻAlu ʻo mohe atu ke tō mohe.Go sleep so you can fall asleep.
- AnaʻOku lelei, te u ʻalu.Okay, I will go.
