Language/Fijian/Vocabulary/Shopping-Vocabulary
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Shopping is an integral part of any culture, and understanding the vocabulary associated with it can significantly enhance your experience when visiting Fiji. In this lesson, we will explore essential Fijian phrases and vocabulary that will empower you to navigate shopping scenarios with confidence. Whether you're bargaining at a local market, asking for the price of an item, or discussing sizes and colors, this lesson will equip you with the tools you need.
In this lesson, we will cover the following topics:
- Key shopping vocabulary
- How to ask for prices
- Bargaining phrases
- Discussing sizes, colors, and quantities
- Practical exercises to reinforce learning
This lesson is designed for complete beginners and is part of our "Complete 0 to A1 Fijian Course". Now, let’s dive into the world of shopping in Fiji!
Key Shopping Vocabulary[edit | edit source]
Basic Vocabulary[edit | edit source]
Let's start with some fundamental shopping vocabulary that you will find useful in any shopping scenario.
| Fijian | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| na i vola ni sauni | nah ee voh-lah nee sah-oo-nee | shopping list |
| na i tikeri | nah ee tee-keh-ree | price tag |
| na vatu | nah vah-too | money |
| na ivola | nah ee-voh-lah | bill |
| na ka | nah kah | item |
| na mua | nah moo-ah | sale |
| na vuni | nah voo-nee | discount |
| mai | my | buy |
| mo ni mai | moh nee my | you buy |
| na i tavi | nah ee tah-vee | receipt |
Asking for Prices[edit | edit source]
Understanding how to ask for prices is crucial while shopping. Here are some helpful phrases:
| Fijian | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| E sega na vatu? | eh seh-ngah nah vah-too? | What is the price? |
| Na vatu e na vatu? | nah vah-too eh nah vah-too? | How much does this cost? |
| E levu na vatu? | eh leh-voo nah vah-too? | Is it expensive? |
| E dua na i vola? | eh doo-ah nah ee-voh-lah? | Is there a discount? |
| Na vatu e levu? | nah vah-too eh leh-voo? | Is the price high? |
| Na vatu e rui? | nah vah-too eh roo-ee? | Is the price reasonable? |
Bargaining Phrases[edit | edit source]
Bargaining is a common practice in Fijian markets. Here are some phrases to help you negotiate:
| Fijian | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Au na saumi | ow nah sah-oo-mee | I will buy |
| E rawa ni vakalailai? | eh rah-wah nee vah-kah-lai-lai? | Can you lower the price? |
| Au rawa ni mai ni? | ow rah-wah nee my nee? | Can I get it cheaper? |
| Na vatu e rui levu! | nah vah-too eh roo-ee leh-voo! | The price is too high! |
| Me'u saumi 50 na vatu | meh-oo sah-oo-mee fifty nah vah-too | I'll pay 50 for it |
| E tukuna na vatu? | eh too-kuna nah vah-too? | Is there a better price? |
Sizes, Colors, and Quantities[edit | edit source]
When shopping, it's essential to discuss sizes, colors, and quantities. Here are some vocabulary words and phrases:
| Fijian | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| na itavi | nah ee-tah-vee | size |
| na colo | nah thoh-loh | color |
| na lewa | nah leh-wah | quantity |
| E dua na itavi? | eh doo-ah nah ee-tah-vee? | What size is this? |
| Na colo e na cava? | nah thoh-loh eh nah thah-vah? | What color is this? |
| E dua na lewa? | eh doo-ah nah leh-wah? | What quantity is this? |
Practical Exercises[edit | edit source]
Now that you have familiarized yourself with shopping vocabulary, it's time to practice! Here are some exercises to help reinforce your learning.
Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks[edit | edit source]
Complete the sentences with the correct Fijian words from the vocabulary you learned.
1. Na ______ e ______? (price)
2. E ______ ni vakalailai? (can you lower)
3. Au na ______ 50 na ______. (will buy, price)
4. E dua na ______? (size)
5. Na ______ e ______? (color)
Solutions:
1. Na vatu e na vatu?
2. E rawa ni vakalailai?
3. Au na saumi 50 na vatu.
4. E dua na itavi?
5. Na colo e na cava?
Exercise 2: Role Play[edit | edit source]
Pair up with a partner and practice shopping scenarios. One person plays the role of the customer, and the other plays the shopkeeper. Use the vocabulary and phrases you’ve learned to negotiate prices and discuss items.
Example Dialogue:
- Customer: E sega na vatu? (What is the price?)
- Shopkeeper: E dua na i vola. (It’s a bill.)
- Customer: E rawa ni vakalailai? (Can you lower the price?)
Exercise 3: Matching[edit | edit source]
Match the Fijian phrases with their English translations.
1. E dua na lewa?
2. Na i tikeri
3. Au na saumi
4. E levu na vatu?
5. Na ka
Answer Key:
1. What quantity is this?
2. Price tag
3. I will buy
4. Is it expensive?
5. Item
Exercise 4: Create a Shopping Dialogue[edit | edit source]
Write a short shopping dialogue using at least five phrases from this lesson. Be creative!
Example:
Customer: E sega na vatu?
Shopkeeper: Na vatu e 20.
Customer: E rawa ni vakalailai?
Shopkeeper: Oi au na saumi 15.
Customer: Vinaka! (Thank you!)
Exercise 5: Translate the Phrases[edit | edit source]
Translate the following English phrases into Fijian using the vocabulary you have learned.
1. How much is this?
2. Can you lower the price?
3. I want to buy this item.
4. What color is this?
5. Is this size available?
Solutions:
1. E na vatu e na cava?
2. E rawa ni vakalailai?
3. Au via mai na ka.
4. Na colo e na cava?
5. E dua na itavi e tiko?
Exercise 6: Create a Shopping List[edit | edit source]
Create a shopping list in Fijian using the vocabulary you’ve learned. Include at least five items and their quantities.
Example:
- Na i vola ni sauni:
- 5 x na ka (items)
- 2 x na i tikeri (price tags)
- 10 x na ivola (bills)
Exercise 7: Identify the Prices[edit | edit source]
Look at the following prices and write how you would ask for them in Fijian.
1. $10
2. $50
3. $100
Example Solutions:
1. E na vatu e 10?
2. E na vatu e 50?
3. E na vatu e 100?
Exercise 8: Describe Your Shopping Experience[edit | edit source]
Write a short paragraph describing your shopping experience in Fijian, using at least five vocabulary words from the lesson.
Exercise 9: Group Discussion[edit | edit source]
In small groups, discuss your favorite shopping experiences. Share what you bought and how much you paid, using Fijian phrases from this lesson.
Exercise 10: Create a Dialogue with Sizes and Colors[edit | edit source]
Create a dialogue that includes questions about sizes and colors, using the vocabulary learned.
Example:
Customer: E dua na itavi?
Shopkeeper: E dua na itavi e 8.
Customer: Na colo e na cava?
Shopkeeper: Na colo e bulumakau.
In conclusion, mastering shopping vocabulary in Fijian not only makes your shopping experiences more enjoyable but also enriches your engagement with the local culture. Practice regularly, and soon you will feel confident in any shopping scenario. Happy shopping!
Sources[edit | edit source]
- Fijian learning games: online kids language exercises
- Fijian Vocabulary - Count to 10
- Speaking Fijian: Common Words and Phrases
Other Lessons[edit | edit source]
- Common Professions
- Feelings and Emotions
- Health
- Food
- Seasons and Months
- Money and Currency
- Count to 10
- Basic Greetings
- Colors
- Relationships
| ◀️ Making Polite Requests — Previous Lesson | Next Lesson — Money and Currency ▶️ |