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Maori-Polynesian Comparative Dictionary

TONGAN

TONGAN

In the following examples the Tongan word is written first, the related Tongan or Maori word (marked T. or M.) following.

VOWELS

Eiki, a chief, M. ariki; efiafi, evening, M. ahiahi; elelo, the tongue, M. arero; eku, my. M. aku; mamahi, pain, M. mamae; ofato, the name of an insect, M. awhato; unufi, the caterpillar, M. anuhe; fefie, firewood, M. wahie; mele, to cough, M. mare; luo, a cave, M. rua; tagamimi, the bladder, M. tongamimi; tokoto, to lie down, M. takoto; malu, soft, T. molu soft; kemo, to wink, M. kimo; kofu, a garment, M. kahu.

CONSONANTS

H and K.—Hake, to ascend, M. kake; habu, the banana leaf tied at each end to hold water, M. kapu (?).

H and R.—Uhiuhi, dark blue, M. uriuri; bibihi, to cleave to, M. pipiri

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H and F.—Efiafi, evening, M. ahiahi; hifo, down, M. iho; afi, fire, M. ahi; fuji, to deplume, M. huti.

H and S.—Tuha, equal, T. tusa.

H Lost.—Agai, the corresponding opposite, M. hangai.

H Inserted.—Hake, upwards, M. ake; hala, a road, M. ara; hifo down, M. iho; uha. rain, M. ua; haamo, to carry on the shoulders, M. amo; lohu, a forked stick used for twisting off bread fruit, M. rou; toho, to drag, M. to; haku, my, M. aku; hiva, nine, M. iwa; honge, scarce, M. onge; vahe, to divide, M. wawae; fuhi, a bunch, M. hui.

K and H.— See H and K ante.

K and N.—Hoko, to apply, to join, M. hono.

K and T—Tatava, sour, M. Kawa; iki, small, M. iti; fekilokilofaki, to stare about. (M. probably a compound of tiro, to look. It is the more curious because the Tongan comparative of tiro is jio.)

K and G (NG).—Gauafi, a fire stick, M. kauahi.

K Inserted.—Kau, I, M. au.

K Lost.—Aitoa, an expression of pleasure at the misfortunes of another, M. kaitoa.

M and B.—Bahabaha, light, not heavy, M. màmà; malu, loose, soft, M. paru.

B and P.— Regular interchange of Tongan and Maori. Ba, a fence, M. pa; baba, a board, M. papa,; bae, a sill, M. pae, &c., &c.

V and W.— Regular interchange of Maori and Tongan. Vale, foolish, M. ware; valu, eight, M. waru, &c., &c.

M and B.— See B and M ante.

N and L (R).—Neka, joy, M. reka; nunu, to gather together, M. ruru; nima, five, M. rima.

L and R.— Regular interchange between Maori and Tongan. Leto, inside, M. roto, &c., &c.

F and R.—Fuga, high, M. runga.

F and WH.— Regular interchange between Maori and Tongan. Fa, to feel after, M. wha; faji, to break, M. whati, &c., &c.

P and S.—Sai, good, M. pai.

L (R) Lost.—Tamaiki, children, M. tamariki; mui, behind, M. muri; ama, a torch, M. rama; ogo, to hear, M. rongo; ua, two, M. rua; uku, to dive, M. ruku; jio, to look, M. tiro; uiui, black, M. uriuri; tui, the knee, M. turi; vau, to scrape, M. waru.

J and T.—Tamajii, a small boy, M. tamaiti; oji, to be finished, M. oti; koji, to cut with scissors, M. koti; fuijijili, a thunderbolt, M. whaitiri and whatitiri; faji, to break, M. whati; jio, to look, M. tiro; mimiji, to suck, M. miti; fuji, to deplume, M. huti.