kofu loto
The Tongan phrase for "underwear" is kofu loto.
kofu loto is used to refer to clothes worn next to the skin.
Meaning: clothes worn next to the skin (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of kofu, meaning shirt or clothing and loto, meaning inside or heart/center.
Did you know?
- The term kofu is actually a linguistic descendant of the English word 'cloth', adapted into the Tongan phonetic system.
- If you were to use the word loto in a different context, you might be talking about your feelings or your very soul, rather than just the physical interior of a garment.
- The word loto is a cognate shared across the Pacific, appearing as loko in Hawaiian and roto in Māori.
Examples in context
- ʻOku ʻaʻu ha kofu loto.The underwear is clean.
Example conversation
Sina is helping Tevita pack a suitcase for a trip.
- TevitaSina, 'e kai kofu loto e hifo?Sina, where are the underwear?
- Sina‘Oku ‘i he kofu ‘a Tevita.They are with Tevita's clothes.
- TevitaKu'u kofu loto 'oku 'ikai ke 'i he'iko.My underwear is not in there.
- SinaVakai faka'a'au ki he kofu loto.Look carefully for the underwear.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries loto, CC BY-SA 4.0.
