What are the Languages in Fiji? A Guide to Fijian, Fiji-Hindi & More

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What Language Do They Speak in Fiji?

Although Fiji is a nation of beautiful exotic islands, communication is pretty easy. There are three official languages in Fiji: Bauan Fijian, Fiji-Hindi and English.

To simplify, native Fijians speak Bauan Fijian (usually referred to as “Fijian” or in the local dialect “Vosa Vakaviti”) as their first language. Indo-Fijians speak Fiji-Hindi (a branch of Hindustani) as their first language. However, both groups speak English as a second language. That’s not to say that English isn’t used excessively, with most communications through the media, business and even on the restaurant menus being in English. For English-speaking tourists, you won’t feel too far out of depth when in Fiji. It’s easy! It’s “Fiji time“!

Bauan Fijian in Fiji

Just over half of the population speaks Bauan Fijian as a first or second language. Fijian is a type of Malayo-Polynesian language, a subgroup of Austronesian languages with similarities to other languages spoken in the South Pacific, as well as Southeast Asia. Learn more about its origins in the “Where Does the Fijian Language Come From?” section below.

Before colonisation, there were several different dialects spoken across the Fijian islands. Today, “Bauan Fijian” is used mainly for administrative purposes and is the country’s most commonly spoken dialect of the Fijian language. Regardless, you will still hear some slight variations in the dialects between the regions of Fiji.

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Hindi in Fiji

Spoken by around 37% of the population as a first or second language, Fiji-Hindi is an official language in Fiji. Although the language is called “Hindi” locally, outsiders refer to the language as Fijian Hindi or Fiji-Hindi due to the variations of the language compared to the Hindi spoken in the Indian subcontinent. The language has combined elements of the Hindi dialects from Awadhi and Bhojpuri variations of the language, mixed with Fijian, Arabic and English words.

Why Do People Speak Hindi in Fiji?

During Britain’s colonisation of Fiji, indentured labourers from India were sent to Fiji for the sugar trade. Coming from different regions of India with different dialects of Hindi, the common language of Fiji Hindi was formed to make communicating in the workplace easier, as well as for young children of the labourers to communicate when left in daycare centres. Learn more about the Fiji population in our Guide to the Fiji People.

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English in Fiji

English is used and understood by most of the population in Fiji, mostly as a second language. Schoolchildren are taught English after becoming proficient in their first language, so it is widely understood. English is the language used for most communications, whether it’s in the media, on signage or for doing business. So, when visiting Fiji, English speakers are unlikely to find a language barrier when talking to the locals.

Why Do People Speak English in Fiji?

With more than half the population being native Fijians and the other vast majority being Indo-Fijians, why is English the common language in Fiji? English was first introduced to the islands during the exploring and trading days some 150 years ago. However, the English language became more dominant in Fiji after the British colonisation of Fiji in 1874. With that, all government communication was in English. Fiji remained a British colony until 1997, but the impact of the British influence remains. Learn more about Fiji’s history in A Brief History of Fiji.

Other Languages Spoken in Fiji

Although there are three official languages in Fiji, other languages are spoken in Fiji to reflect the diverse population of immigrants, and some Fijian islands have their own indigenous dialects.

The other common languages spoken in Fiji include:

• Rotuman – Spoken by the people living on the Fijian island group of Rotuma
• Gujarati – Spoken by Indian immigrants (not related to the Indian labourers)
• Punjabi – Spoken by Indian immigrants (not related to the Indian labourers)
• Cantonese – Spoken by Chinese immigrants
• Mandarin – Spoken by Chinese immigrants
• Tongan – Spoken by Tongan immigrants and Fijians of Tongan descent.

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Where Does the Fijian Language Come From?

For those of you who like a bit of context, Fijian is part of a Malayo-Polynesian branch of the huge Austronesian family of languages, which includes languages from Madagascar to Easter Island, Taiwan to Hawaii to New Zealand.

Within Fiji, there are some 300 regional dialects, for example, the commonly used “vinaka” meaning “good” or how you would say “thank you”, is said as “vinaduriki” in the Yasawa Islands, “vina’a” in Taveuni or “malo” in the Lau Islands. These different dialects belong to two major groupings, with “Western Fijian” being spoken by people on the islands from the west side of the middle of Viti Levu and “Eastern Fijian” being spoken by the people living on the islands from the east side of Viti Levu.

In the 1840s, a dialect known as Bauan was the first version of Fijian to be transcribed into the Roman alphabet, leading the Bauan to become the most universally accepted of Fijian – a version taught in schools and used for formal occasions.

Finally, note that Fiji’s northernmost island, Rotuma, has its own language known as Rotuman. This is a different language from the Fijian language.

Learn more about the Fijian history in A Brief History of Fiji and find out more about different aspects of the Fijian culture in The Guide to the Fiji Culture for Travellers.

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Fijian Language Pronunciation

The Fijian alphabet uses the same letters as English, with the exception of X. To master pronunciation in Fijian, you’ll need to learn some specific rules for vowels and consonants.

How to Pronounce Vowels in Fijian

Fijian vowels are pronounced similarly to those in languages like German, Italian, or Spanish. Here are some key points to remember:

• Some vowels may have a macron (a line) over them (ā, ē, ī, ō, ū). This indicates a long vowel that should be pronounced for about twice as long as a vowel without a macron.
• Getting the length of vowels right is crucial, as it can change the meaning of words.
• Vowel sounds in Fijian are generally pure, meaning they don’t change during pronunciation, unlike some English vowels that can be diphthongs.
• The first vowel in a word is usually more emphasised.

Now, let’s break down the pronunciation of each vowel:

• A – pronounced “ah” as in “art”
• E – pronounced “eh” as in “egg”
• I – pronounced “e” as in “eat”
• O – pronounced “or” as in “on”
• U – pronounced “oo” as in “cool”

How to Pronounce Consonants in Fijian

Most letters in the written version of the Fijian language are pronounced the same as in English, except there are some consonants that English speakers will find awkward to pronounce. They are as follows:

• B is pronounced with a soft “m” in front of it – so Lakeba is “La-kem-ba”
• C is pronounced as a “th” sound – so Mamanucas is “Mam-an-u-thas”
• D is pronounced with an “n” in front of it – so Nadi is “Nan-di”
• G is pronounced with an “ng” sound – so Sigatoka is “Sing-a-toka”
• Q has a harder “ngg” sound – so Beqa is “Beng-ga”
• R is usually rolled

With these tips, you’ll be well on your way to pronouncing Fijian vowels like a pro. Remember, practice makes perfect, so don’t be shy about trying out your new skills with the friendly locals!

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Fijian Words and Phrases to Know

While English is widely spoken, locals will appreciate the effort and respect for saying words and phrases in their native language. Here are some phrases to try…

Basic Phrases in Fijian

Hello – Bula
Hello (formal) – Ni sa bula
Good morning – Yadra (Yan-dra)
Good morning (formal) – Ni sa yadra
Yes – Io
No – Sega (Sen-ga)
Please – Yalo vinaka, mada or Kerikeri
Thank you – Vinaka
Thank you very much – Vinaka vakalevu
Excuse me – Tulou
I’m sorry – Lomana
Sega na leqa – No worries
Wananavu – Awesome
Sota tale – See you later
Goodbye – Moce (Mo-thay)

Places in Fijian

Beach – Matasawa
Farm/garden – Teitei
Forest – Veikau
House – Vale
Sleeping house – Bure
Island – Yanuyanu
Mountain – Qulunivanua
Road/trail – Sala
School – Koronivuli
Shop – Sitoa
Village – Koro

Power tip: “Lako” means “go” to pair it with the above places!

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Fijian Food and Drink (and What They Are)

Dalo – Taro
Ika – Fish
Jaina – Banana
Kokoda – Raw fish in coconut cream and lime juice
Lolo – Coconut cream
Lovo – Underground oven
Niu – Coconut
Ota – Seaweed
Tapioca – Cassava, root vegetable
Vua – Fruit
Wai – Water
Weleti – Papaya/pawpaw

Learn more about the food and drink of Fiji in 10 Unique Foods in Fiji You Have to Try and 10 Drinks in Fiji You Have to Try.