wai
wai is the Fijian word for water.
This term refers to the inorganic compound H₂O.
Meaning: inorganic compound H₂O (noun)
Did you know?
- The word wai is a linguistic descendant of the Proto-Austronesian word *wahiʀ, linking Fijian to languages spoken as far away as Taiwan and Madagascar.
- The word wai is used in Fijian to describe not only water but also any liquid, such as oil or ink.
- The pronunciation of wai is remarkably consistent across many different Polynesian and Melanesian languages, making it one of the most recognizable words in the Pacific.
Examples in context
- e dua na bilo waiA cup of waterThis sentence is useful for identifying how to express a cup of water using wai.
- Kere mai e dua na bota wai.Please give me a bottle of water.
Example conversation
Mere and Isoa are talking in the kitchen.
- MereIsoa, o sa qai soli wai?Isoa, have you poured the water?
- IsoaIo, e sa tiko na wai.Yes, the water is here.
- MereVinaka vakalevu.Thank you very much.
- IsoaSega na leqa, Mere.No problem, Mere.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “water” translations and entries wai, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries wai, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0.
