nofo
The Tongan verb for "sit" is nofo.
The verb nofo is used to describe a person being in a position where the upper body is upright and the legs are supported. Beyond the physical act of sitting, it is also used to mean staying in a place or residing and living somewhere.
Meaning: of a person, be in a position in which the upper body is upright and the legs are supported (verb)
How does it change in a sentence?
You can modify the meaning of nofo by adding particles. Adding the directional particle atu creates the phrase nofo atu, which means to sit down, emphasizing the movement into a seated position. Adding the particle foki creates nofo foki, which means to sit again or to return to a seated position.
Did you know?
- In traditional Tongan settings, the way one nofo during a formal kava ceremony is highly regulated and reflects the precise status of the participant.
- In formal Tongan speech, specific honorifics are used when talking about a royal person nofo, as the standard word is too common for high-ranking nobility.
- Tongan is a Polynesian language, and nofo shares a common ancestral root with the Samoan word nofo, which also means to sit or dwell.
Examples in context
- Nofo hifo ʻi he toʻonga.Sit down on the chair.
Example conversation
Sione and Losa are entering a room with chairs.
- SioneLosa, nofo heni.Losa, sit here.
- LosaMālō, Sione.Thank you, Sione.
- SioneKo e hā e kavei?What is the matter?
- Losa‘Oku ou lotuá loto māmā.I just feel tired.
