vonu
The Fijian word for turtle is vonu.
vonu is a noun used to refer to a land or marine reptile with a shell.
Meaning: land or marine reptile with a shell (noun)
Did you know?
- The word vonu is a linguistic traveler that would be instantly recognized by speakers from Madagascar to Easter Island due to its common Austronesian roots.
- Because turtles are highly regarded in many oceanic cultures, the word vonu can sometimes evoke a sense of respect or taboo in certain traditional settings.
- The spelling of vonu hides a much older sound, as it descends from the Proto-Austronesian root pəñu where a 'p' and a nasal sound were present.
Examples in context
- Dou mai lako e na wai, au sa raica e dua na sogo!Come to the water, I saw a turtle!
- E dua na vonu levu oqo.This is a large turtle.
Example conversation
Sairusa and Sereana are visiting a beach.
- SairusaSereana, raica na vonu oya!Sereana, look at that turtle!
- SereanaE levu sara na vonu oya.That turtle is very big.
- SairusaE lako tiko ki na wai.It is going into the water.
- SereanaE vaka-tabu na vonu eke.Turtles are sacred here.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “turtle” translations and entries vonu, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries vonu, CC BY-SA 4.0.
