taʻe
The Tongan word for poop is taʻe.
taʻe is a noun used to refer to feces.
Meaning: feces (noun)
Did you know?
- While English speakers might use 'poop' to describe a pet, Tongan speakers use specific, different terms depending on whether the subject is human or animal.
- Tongan utilizes 'avoidance language' where the word taʻe is replaced by words meaning 'dirt' or 'waste' to maintain 'faka'apa'apa', which is the cultural value of deep respect.
- Tongan has no single word that perfectly maps to the English 'poop' as both a noun and a verb, requiring different words for the substance and the action.
Examples in context
- ʻOku ʻi ai ha taʻe ʻi te uʻu.There is poop on the road.
Example conversation
Ana and Tevita are cleaning the backyard together.
- AnaTevita, ʻalae ʻoku ʻi ai ha taʻe ʻi he kahoa.Tevita, look, there is some poop on the porch.
- TevitaʻOku ʻuike ia ʻa e kuli.The dog did that.
- AnaFakaʻaʻo mai e taʻe ʻeni ʻe ke.Please clean this poop up.
- TevitaKai pē, ʻoku ou fakaʻaʻo ia.Alright, I am cleaning it.
