Talitali fiefia
The Tongan word for "welcome" is Talitali fiefia.
Talitali fiefia is the greeting used when someone arrives. You may also use the formal greeting Mālō e lelei to say hello, good day or to express welcome.
Meaning: greeting given upon someone's arrival (intj)
Did you know?
- The Tongan language uses a strict system of social stratification, meaning the words used to welcome a commoner differ from those used for royalty.
- The word fiefia is a reduplication of fia, a common pattern in Tongan where repeating a word intensifies its meaning or indicates a continuing state of emotion.
- When welcoming guests in a formal setting, the greeting might be part of a larger 'kava' ceremony. In these rituals, the way people are welcomed and seated follows strict social hierarchies.
Examples in context
- Talitali fiefia atu!I welcome you!
- Talitali fiefia kiate kimoutolu.Welcome to all of you.
Example conversation
Losa greets Sione as he arrives at her home.
- LosaTalitali fiefia, Sione!Welcome, Sione!
- SioneMālō, Losa.Thank you, Losa.
- LosaHū mai ki loto.Come inside.
- SioneʻE ou hū mai.I will come in.
