Bula
/ᵐbu.la/
The Fijian way to say "good afternoon" is Bula.
Meaning: greeting said in the afternoon (phrase)
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /ᵐbu.la/. It has 2 syllables.
Did you know?
- The phrase Bula shares an ancient linguistic ancestor with the word for 'to exist', connecting the greeting to the very concept of being.
- The word Bula literally translates to 'life' or 'health'. Saying it to someone is akin to wishing them life.
- In many formal settings, such as arriving at a traditional village meeting, a person might even say Bula vinaka while performing a traditional gesture of respect.
Example conversation
Isoa and Mere meet on a sunny street in the afternoon.
- IsoaBula, Mere!Good afternoon, Mere!
- MereBula vinaka, Isoa.Good afternoon, Isoa.
- IsoaO sa vakacava tiko?How are you doing?
- MereAu sa vinaka, vinaka.I am well, thank you.
Sources
- Pronunciation from the Wiktionary entry bula.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bula, CC BY-SA 4.0.
