vale
The Tongan word for "stupid" is vale.
vale is an adjective used to describe someone or something that is lacking in intelligence.
Meaning: lacking in intelligence (adj)
Did you know?
- In Tongan, the word vale is also the common word for 'house'.
- Tongan social hierarchy often dictates that you would never use the word vale to a person of higher rank, regardless of how true the description might be.
- In many Polynesian cultures, including Tonga, direct insults regarding intelligence are often avoided in polite company to maintain 'faka'apa'apa', or respect.
Examples in context
- Ko e taha vale ia.He is a stupid person.
Example conversation
Ana and Viliami are discussing a mistake in a project.
- AnaNa‘e vale pē au he taimi ko iá.I was just stupid at that time.
- Viliami‘Ikai, na‘e hē pē ‘a e kaveinga.No, the direction was just wrong.
- AnaKa ko e me‘a vale na‘á.But it was a stupid thing.
- Viliami‘Oku tau ako kotoa pē.We are all learning.
