ʻOtua
The Tongan word for God is ʻOtua.
ʻOtua is a noun meaning deity. In Tongan, it is common to capitalize this word when referring specifically to the Christian God.
Meaning: deity (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
The word ʻOtua is often capitalized in Tongan to specifically denote the Christian God.
Did you know?
- Tongan has a complex system of social hierarchy that extends even to how one speaks about ʻOtua. Specific 'honorific' vocabulary is used to describe the actions of a deity that would be considered incorrect when describing a human.
- The Tongan language uses a specific glottal stop, represented by the symbol ʻ, at the start of ʻOtua. This tiny mark is a full consonant and changing it would change the word's meaning entirely.
- In Tongan culture, the concept of ʻOtua is closely linked to the 'ancestral spirits'. Some traditional beliefs suggest that certain high-ranking ancestors can ascend to the status of ʻOtua after death.
Examples in context
- Ko ʻOtua e tupuʻinga.God is the creator.
- Fakaʻapaʻapa ki he ʻOtua.Respect God.
- ʻOku fakamālohi kitautolu ʻe he ʻOtua.We are strengthened by God.
Example conversation
Mele and Akuila are discussing their faith.
- MeleʻOku ke tuí ki he ʻOtua?Do you believe in God?
- AkuilaʻIo, ʻoku ou tuí.Yes, I believe.
- MeleKo e ʻOtua ko ia ʻoku lelei.That God is good.
- AkuilaʻOkuou fakaʻau tatau mo koe, Mele.I agree with you, Mele.
