mālō e lelei
The English phrase "hi" is expressed in Tongan as mālō e lelei.
mālō e lelei is used as a greeting to say "Hello" or "Good day".
Meaning: friendly, informal greeting (intj)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of mālō (well-being/goodness), the particle e and lelei (good), which literally conveys a sense of "goodness/well-being is good".
Did you know?
- Tongan has different levels of address known as 'honorifics'. While mālō e lelei is generally friendly, specific variations in tone and accompanying words are required when greeting royalty to avoid being disrespectful.
- In Tongan, the concept of 'goodness' expressed in mālō often relates to health and spiritual well-being. Saying mālō e lelei is not just a social convention but a wish for the other person's overall wellness.
- While mālō e lelei is the standard greeting, you may hear mālō used on its own as a shorthand 'hi' or 'thanks'. This single word creates a linguistic bridge between greeting someone and expressing gratitude.
Examples in context
- Mālō e lelei!Hello!
- Mālō e lelei e siʻi.Hello, little one.
Example conversation
Akuila and Sina meet at the market.
- AkuilaMālō e lelei, Sina!Hi, Sina!
- SinaMālō e lelei, Akuila!Hi, Akuila!
- AkuilaFēfē hake?How are you?
- SinaʻOku sai pē.I am doing well.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry mālō e lelei, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
