cava
The Fijian word for "what" is cava.
cava is an interrogative pronoun.
Meaning: what? (interrogative pronoun) (pron)
Did you know?
- Depending on the dialect or historical root, cava can be related to the word for 'west' in other Austronesian languages, such as the Tongan afā.
- In some contexts, repeating cava cava can be used to express a sense of disbelief or a request for a more detailed explanation.
- In some Western Fijian dialects, the word for 'what' sounds more like ava or yava than the standard cava.
Examples in context
- Cava na yaca ni tamata oqo?What is this person's name?
- Cava na ka o vola?What are you writing?
Example conversation
Isoa and Sereana are looking at a gift.
- IsoaSereana, o cava oqo?Sereana, what is this?
- SereanaOqo e iyeu, Isoa.This is a gift, Isoa.
- IsoaCava e tiko kei na vei?What is inside it?
- SereanaE tiko na iqete.There is a necklace.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cava, CC BY-SA 4.0.
