ngāue
/ŋaː.u.e/
The Tongan word for work is ngāue.
ngāue is used to refer to labour, employment, occupation or a job as a noun. It is also used as an intransitive verb to mean performing a specific task.
Meaning: labour, employment, occupation, job (noun)
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun meaning 'work' and the intransitive verb meaning 'to work' or 'to do work' are identical in the form ngāue.
How do you pronounce it?
It is pronounced /ŋaː.u.e/ and consists of 3 syllables.
Did you know?
- Tongan possesses different registers of language, meaning there are specific, more respectful versions of ngāue used exclusively when speaking to or about royalty.
- Because Tongan is a Polynesian language, ngāue is a cognate of the Samoan word galue and the Maori word ngāue.
- In Tongan culture, ngāue is often viewed as a communal obligation rather than just individual employment, linked to the concept of fatongia or social duty.
Examples in context
- 'Oku ou ngāue.I am working.
- ʻOku kole ki ha ngāue ʻa ia.She is looking for work.
Example conversation
Sione and Ana are talking about their careers.
- SioneKo e hā ho ngāue, Ana?What is your job, Ana?
- AnaKo e faifekau ʻa ʻeku ngāue.My work is as a minister.
- SioneʻOku lelei ia ko e ngāue.That is a good job.
- AnaMālō, Sione.Thank you, Sione.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “work” translations and entries ngāue, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
