How to Say “Go to Sleep” in Fijian

By Kristen Madison • Updated October 2, 2026

moce

moce is the Fijian phrase for go to sleep.

The phrase is used to express the act of beginning to sleep or going to bed for the night.

Did you know?

In some contexts, moce can be used euphemistically to refer to death, treating the end of life as a final sleep.
In Fiji, moce serves a dual purpose as both a way to say 'go to sleep' and a formal way to say 'goodbye' when leaving someone to rest.
The word moce is a linguistic relative of the Māori word moe and the Tongan word mohe, meaning they all share a common ancestor from the ancient Proto-Oceanic language.

Example conversation

Isoa and Sereana are finishing their evening activities.

Isoa

Sereana, sa moce au.
Sereana, I am going to sleep.
Sereana

Mo moce vinaka, Isoa.
Sleep well, Isoa.
Isoa

Vinaka, mo moce vaka ca mai.
Thanks, you go to sleep too.
Sereana

Au na moce sa cilia.
I will go to sleep shortly.

Sources

Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry moce, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
Word origins: Wiktionary entries moce, CC BY-SA 4.0.

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About The Author

Kristen Madison

Bula! I’m Kristen, a language enthusiast with a passion for the beautiful Fijian dialect. When I’m not sharing the intricacies of saying "No Thank You" in Fijian while sipping my fresh coconut water, I’m learning how to call my Brother in Fijian tongue. Exploring the fine lines between formal and informal ways of speaking are my specialty. I love exploring Fiji's enveloping oceans and capturing the golden sunsets. My posts illustrate my love for Fijian culture, its language, and the joy it brings me. Bula Vinaka! Let’s explore the beauty of Fijian language together.

Kristen MadisonHelp make this guide better. Spot a mistake, know another way to say it, or have an example from real life? Share it below.

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