Mālō e lelei, fēfē hake?
The English phrase "hi, how are you?" is translated into Tongan as Mālō e lelei, fēfē hake?
When do people say it?
When someone asks fēfē hake?, a common response is Sai pē, mālō, which means "Just fine, thanks".
Did you know?
- The word mālō used in Mālō e lelei is also used on its own to say 'thank you'. It originally stems from a root meaning 'strength' or 'to be strong'.
- In traditional Tongan etiquette, if you are greeting a royal family member, you would use a completely different set of honorific words rather than Mālō e lelei.
- In many Tongan contexts, 'how are you' is not just a social pleasantry but a genuine inquiry into one's well-being and family status.
Examples in context
- Mālō e lelei, fēfē hake?Hi, how are you?
