'oku ke vale
In Tongan, 'you're dumb' is said as 'oku ke vale.
This phrase is used to tell someone that they lack intelligence or are acting foolishly.
What does it mean word for word?
Literally, the phrase means 'you are crazy' or 'you are foolish'.
How does it change in a sentence?
You can add foki to the end of the phrase to express that the person is 'also' dumb, resulting in 'oku ke vale foki.
Did you know?
- While English speakers use 'dumb' to describe a lack of intelligence, a Tongan speaker using vale is often critiquing a person's failure to act with social decorum.
- Because Tongan culture places high importance on hierarchy, saying 'oku ke vale to an elder or someone of higher status is significantly more offensive than saying it to a peer.
- The term vale can be used to imply that someone has literally lost their mind, making it a much stronger implication than simply being unintelligent.
Example conversation
Losa and Sione are arguing about a simple mistake Sione made.
- LosaKo e hā e me'a, 'oku ke vale?What is it, are you dumb?
- SioneHe 'ikai, na'áu kongfūsi pē.No, I was just confused.
- LosaKo e me'a faka-vale ia, Sione.That is a dumb thing, Sione.
- SioneTāu ta'imalaha!Stop being mean!
