Au diva kemuni
The English phrase "I miss you" is translated into Fijian as Au diva kemuni.
Meaning: I miss you (phrase)
Did you know?
- The word au for 'I' shares a prehistoric root with words for 'I' across a vast stretch of the Pacific and Southeast Asia, tracing back to the ancient Proto-Austronesian language.
- When saying Au diva kemuni to an elder or a chief, the tone of voice must be softened and the head slightly bowed to show 'vaka-turaga' or respectful behavior.
- Because Fijian culture is deeply communal, 'missing someone' can sometimes be expressed as missing the 'group' or the 'presence' of a person within the circle of family.
Example conversation
Teresia and Jone are talking on the phone.
- TeresiaBula Jone, au diva kemuni.Hello Jone, I miss you.
- JoneAu diva kemuni talega, Teresia.I miss you too, Teresia.
- TeresiaO cei era tiko vata kei kemuni?Who is staying there with you?
- JoneAu tiko vata kei na noqu qase.I am staying with my parents.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries au, CC BY-SA 4.0.
