ko e hā e meʻa ʻoku ke faí
ko e hā e meʻa ʻoku ke faí is how you say "what are you doing" in Tongan.
Meaning: what are you doing (phrase)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to "what is the thing that you are doing".
How does it change in a sentence?
The particle ʻoku is used here to indicate a continuous or progressive action (the present continuous).
Did you know?
- Tongan uses a complex system of social hierarchies, meaning the phrasing of 'what are you doing' changes significantly if you are speaking to royalty or a high-ranking chief.
- In Tongan culture, asking ko e hā e meʻa ʻoku ke faí can be a way to start a conversation rather than a literal inquiry into a person's activities.
- The glottal stop, represented by the ʻokina in meʻa or ʻoku, is a full consonant that changes the meaning of words, much like the difference between 'cap' and 'cab' in English.
Examples in context
- ʻOfá, ko e hā e meʻa ʻoku ke faí?Honey, what are you doing?
- Ko e hā e meʻa ʻoku ke faí ʻi he fale?What are you doing in the house?
Example conversation
Losa finds Viliami in the kitchen.
- LosaViliami, ko e hā e meʻa ʻoku ke faí?Viliami, what are you doing?
- ViliamiʻOku ou faʻi e kai.I am making food.
- LosaʻOku ke faʻi e hā?What are you making?
- ViliamiʻOku ou faʻi e lu sipi.I am making mutton.
