Sunset in Yasawa archipelago. Bula!
Here are two words to learn before visiting Fiji.
The most important word in Fiji is “Bula” – a universal greeting that can mean anything from “hello” to “good morning” to “nice to see you” or “hooray”, and further on to “cheers”, “okay”, and “Hear! Hear!”.
Bula means “Life”, and the most direct translation would be “How’s life?”.
Universal importance
During the first few days in Fiji, one might feel overwhelmed or intimidated as a “Bula” is shouted from strangers in a shop, yelled from someone at a bench by the bus stop, or you are greeted with it from a taxi driver. But one soon learns to return the greeting with a smile, a nod, a thank you or yes. Or sometimes Bula in return, when your jetlagged brain starts remembering that is OK, too.
Bula is used constantly. Even in situations where you may expect less informalities. Like when you are attending a kava-ceremony, and a couple of “Bula” is uttered.
A word of thanks
The second most important Fijian word is “Vinaka” – thank you. Less common use than Bula, but still a good second.
Fijian English is a variant of English and not one of the worst variants. You get by with standard English in Fiji, spoken slowly.
However, not all expressions from classical or modern English are well known among the adults and elders. Most young people on the other hand were well-versed in US American pop culture and internet slang. So, it is rarely a challenge to make oneself understood.
https://drzinasia.wordpress.com/2016/11/03/bula-fiji-vinaka/
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