moce
The Fijian word for "sleep" is moce.
moce is used to describe the act of resting in a state of reduced consciousness.
Meaning: to rest in state of reduced consciousness (verb)
Which one should you use?
While moce literally means "to sleep", it is also used as a standard way to say "goodbye" or "goodnight".
When do people say it?
While moce means "to sleep", it is also the standard way to say "goodbye" or "goodnight" in Fijian.
Did you know?
- In some Fijian contexts, the act of moce is deeply tied to the communal layout of the vale or traditional house, where sleep is often a shared social experience.
- The word moce is a linguistic relative of the Māori word moe, meaning they both share a common ancestor from the ancient Proto-Oceanic language.
- The linguistic journey of moce traces back through Proto-Central Pacific roots, linking modern Fijian to thousands of years of seafaring history.
Examples in context
- Sa moce na turaga.The gentleman is sleeping.
Example conversation
Sairusa and Sereana are talking before bed.
- SairusaAu via moce tani.I want to go to sleep.
- SereanaSega na moce tiko?Are you not sleeping yet?
- SairusaAu sega ni moce.I am not asleep.
- SereanaMo moce vinaka, Sairusa.Sleep well, Sairusa.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry moce, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries moce, CC BY-SA 4.0.
