viakana
The Fijian word for hungry is viakana.
viakana is an adjective used to describe being affected by hunger or being desirous of food.
Meaning: affected by hunger, desirous of food (adj)
Did you know?
- When expressing extreme hunger, Fijians might use the term mate sara, which literally translates to 'dying' to emphasize the intensity of the feeling.
- In traditional Fijian communal dining, the way one expresses hunger is often secondary to the cultural protocol of waiting for the 'turaga' or leader to begin eating.
- In some contexts, describing oneself as viakana can be seen as overly blunt or even impolite, as it focuses too directly on one's personal physical needs.
Examples in context
- Au sa viakana sara.I am very hungry.
Example conversation
Mere and Semi are talking in the kitchen.
- MereSemi, o viakana tiko?Semi, are you hungry?
- SemiIo, viakana vakalevu au.Yes, I am very hungry.
- MereAu na cakava na kakana.I will make some food.
- SemiVinaka vakalevu, Mere.Thank you very much, Mere.
