qio
/ˈᵑɡi.o/
The Fijian word for shark is qio.
qio is a noun used to refer to a shark.
Meaning: fish (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
The word has 2 syllables and the stress is on the first syllable. It is pronounced /ˈᵑɡi.o/.
Did you know?
- Ancient Fijian beliefs included the idea that some people could communicate with or control the qio through hereditary spiritual powers.
- A person's clan or totem might dictate whether they can even say the word qio out loud in certain ceremonies.
- The qio is often integrated into the 'tabu' system, where specific areas of the reef are closed to fishing to protect the sharks and their prey.
Examples in context
- Era raica e dua na qio levu e baravi.They saw a big shark near the coast.This sentence shows how to describe a large shark near the coast using qio.
- E dau basika na qio ena gauna ni veisau ni Tui Cakau.A shark usually appears at the shore when a Tui Cakau is being installed.This sentence illustrates a shark appearing at the shore during a specific traditional event using qio.
Example conversation
Two friends are snorkeling in the ocean.
- AdiSairusa, raica na qio oya!Sairusa, look at that shark!
- SairusaE levu sara na qio oya.That shark is way too big.
- AdiMe datou lako tani mai.Let's get away from here.
- SairusaIo, me datou lako mai.Yes, let's go.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “shark” translations and entries qio, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0.
