How to Say “Happy” in Tongan

Did you know?

• The word fiefia is a reduplication of fia, which means 'to desire' or 'to want'. In Tongan, repeating a word can intensify the emotion or indicate a state of being.
• During traditional Tongan celebrations, fiefia is often physically manifested through the lakalaka, a group dance where the joy of the community is synchronized through precise movement and song.
• The root of fiefia shares a common ancestor with the words for 'joy' in Hawaiian and Maori, revealing a deep linguistic connection across the Pacific.