laʻā
The Tongan word for "sun" is laʻā.
laʻā refers to the star around which the Earth revolves. It is also the term used to denote a star when it is viewed as the center of any single solar system.
Meaning: the star around which the Earth revolves (name)
Related words
Did you know?
- Tongan poets often use the imagery of the laʻā to represent a high-ranking chief or a person of great importance.
- The word laʻā is also the word used for 'day' in Tongan. In many contexts, the presence of the sun is what defines the concept of a day.
- In traditional Tongan navigation, tracking the position of the laʻā was essential for traveling across the ocean between islands.
Examples in context
- ʻOku māloa e laʻā he ʻaho ni.The sun is strong today.
Example conversation
Losa and Tevita are talking about the weather outside.
- LosaʻOku lēʻia au ki he laʻā.I am tired of the sun.
- TevitaʻOku mālie e ʻinoʻino.The weather is nice.
- LosaKa ʻoku māfana veliveli e laʻā.But the sun is very hot.
- TevitaTau mavaʻe ki he lalo ʻa e ʻāau.Let's go under the shade.
