vale
The Tongan word for idiot is vale.
vale is a noun used to describe a person of low general intelligence.
Meaning: person of low general intelligence (noun)
Did you know?
- While vale is used for an idiot, it is also the common Tongan word for 'house'.
- In Tongan culture, direct insults are often avoided to preserve 'va', the sacred space or relationship between people.
- In many Polynesian languages, including Tongan, words for 'foolishness' are often tied to concepts of being 'empty' or 'hollow'.
Examples in context
- Ko e vale ia.He is an idiot.
Example conversation
Losa and Tevita are arguing about a mistake Tevita made.
- LosaKo e hā ʻa e meʻa naʻa ke fai, vale!What were you doing, idiot!
- TevitaʻOku ʻikai ke u vale, Losa.I am not an idiot, Losa.
- LosaPehē, naʻa ke ngaue vakavala.Then why did you work so carelessly?
- TevitaNaʻe hala pē ʻa e fakatuʻu.It was just a mistake.
