Looking for practical NKo to Tongan phrases? This free guide lists 100 essential sentences for travel, study, work, and everyday conversation. Each line shows the NKo phrase first, then the Tongan translation (Tongan) — so you can scan quickly before a trip, class, or video call.
The phrases are grouped into eight topics: greetings and pleasantries, useful phrases for travellers, everyday conversation, directions and getting around, shopping and dining, emergencies and health, work and business, and time, days and numbers. Use the table of contents to jump straight to greetings, directions, dining, emergencies, or numbers. You do not need perfect grammar to start — short, clear sentences often work better than silence when you are learning Tongan.
Tip: read the Tongan line out loud three times, then cover the NKo side and try to recall the meaning — repetition builds memory faster than silent reading.
Bookmark this page for offline review, share it with a travel buddy, or open the NKo to Tongan translator to paste your own messages and get an instant translation.
Greetings and pleasantries
Hello, goodbye, please, thank you, and polite introductions for meeting new people.
ᎣᏍᏆ
Mālō(Oscha)
ᎠᏍᏆᏙᏗ
Mālō(Ascadodi)
ᎣᏍᏆ ᎡᏚᏙᏗ
Mālō e lelei(Oscha Edodhi)
ᎣᏍᏆ ᎠᏧᏍᏆᏗ
Mālō e lelei(Oscha Atsachadi)
ᎣᏍᏆ ᏓᎦᏚᏗ
Mālō e lelei(Oscha Dagadudi)
ᎣᏍᏆ ᏓᏥᏍᏆ
Nofo ā(Oscha Datsicha)
ᎣᏍᏆ ᏓᎦᏙᏗ
Tōfā(Oscha Dagadodi)
ᎣᏍᏆ ᏓᏁᏙᏗ
Tōfā(Oscha Danodi)
ᎯᏍᏆ ᎠᏍᏆᏙᏗ ᎢᏳᏍᏆ?
Ko e hā ho hingoa?(Hisch Ascadodi Iyuscha?)
ᎠᏓ ᎠᏍᏆᏙᏗ ᎠᏍᏆ ᏥᏍᏆ
Ko hoku hingoa ko John(Ada Ascadodi Ascha Tischa)
ᎯᏍᏆ ᎯᏍᏆ?
Ofa atu?(Hisch Hisch?)
ᎠᏍᏆᏙᏗ ᏓᏥᏍᏆ
Faka'apa'apa kiate koe(Ascadodi Tischa)
Useful phrases for travellers
Airport, hotel, tickets, and transport phrases for getting around on a trip.
ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߡߊ߬ߟߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬?
Oe te u talanoa i te Galuega?(Oe te u talanoa i te Galuega?)
ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߡߊ߬ߟߊ߬ ߗߊ߬ߓߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬
Oe te u 'ikai talanoa lelei i te Hindi(Oe te u 'ikai talanoa lelei i te Hindi)
ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߡߊ߬ߟߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߓߊ߬
Oe te u 'ikai ma'u(Oe te u 'ikai ma'u)
ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ ߗߊ߬ߓߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬
Fakamolemole talanoa ha feitu'u(Fakamolemole talanoa ha feitu'u)
ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬?
Kuo 'i ai e ke talanoa 'o e toe?(Kuo 'i ai e ke talanoa 'o e toe?)
ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬?
Ko e fea 'oku 'i ai e fanga?(Ko e fea 'oku 'i ai e fanga?)
ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬?
E fa'ahinga e u 'alu ki he tu'a o e kolo?(E fa'ahinga e u 'alu ki he tu'a o e kolo?)
ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬
Fakafoki ki he kolo(Fakafoki ki he kolo)
ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬
Fakafoki ki he 'akau(Fakafoki ki he 'akau)
ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬
Alu 'o e 'alu(Alu 'o e 'alu)
ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬?
E hā e totongi?(E hā e totongi?)
ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬
Tiketí 'e taha, fakamolemole(Tiketí 'e taha, fakamolemole)
ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬?
Oku 'i ai e 'i he 'i he 'a e fanga?(Oku 'i ai e 'i he 'i he 'a e fanga?)
ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬
Oku ou 'i ma'u(Oku ou 'i ma'u)
ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬?
Ko e fea 'oku ou ma'u e SIM card?(Ko e fea 'oku ou ma'u e SIM card?)
Everyday conversation
Small talk, feelings, opinions, and common chat phrases for daily life.
𞤈𞤢𞤣𞤢
Āe
𞤈𞤢𞤣
Ikai
𞤈𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤈𞤢𞤣𞤢
Māfai
𞤉𞤢 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢𞤲𞤢
Oku ou ʻilo
𞤉𞤢 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢𞤲𞤢 𞤈𞤢𞤣
Oku ou ʻikai ʻilo
𞤈𞤢𞤣 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤈𞤢𞤣
Oku lelei ia
𞤈𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤈𞤢𞤣
Ko e hā hoʻu manatu?
𞤈𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤉𞤢𞤣𞤢
Te u ʻofa mai?
𞤉𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢
Oku ou fiemaʻu ʻofa
𞤈𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤈𞤢𞤣
Fakamolemole
𞤉𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢
Oku ou fakamolemole
𞤈𞤢𞤣 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢
Ikai ha palopalema
𞤈𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢
Fakaʻapaʻapa
𞤈𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢
Mālō e lelei ki he ʻaho mate
𞤈𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢
Fakaʻaongaʻi lelei
Directions and getting around
Asking where something is, left and right, distances, and finding your way.
ߓߍ߬ߓߊ߬ ߓߍ߬ ߛߌ߬ߟߊ߬ߙߌ߬
Ko fea e falemai?(ko fea e fale mai)
ߓߍ߬ߓߊ߬ ߓߍ߬ ߛߌ߬ߟߊ߬ߙߌ߬ ߓߌ߬ߜߌ߬
Ko fea e nofoa bus?(ko fea e nofoa bus)
ߓߍ߬ߓߊ߬ ߛߌ߬ߟߊ߬ߙߌ߬ ߓߌ߬ߜߌ߬
Ko e feheia e pātala?(ko e feheia e patala)
ߓߍ߬ߓߊ߬ ߛߌ߬ߟߊ߬ߙߌ߬ ߓߌ߬ߜߌ߬
He taimi fē e 'alu ai?(he taimi fe e alu ai)
ߓߍ߬ߓߊ߬ ߓߌ߬ߜߌ߬ ߓߍ߬ ߞߌ߬ߟߌ߬
Ko e ala lelei 'eni?(ko e ala lelei eni)
ߓߍ߬ߓߊ߬ ߓߌ߬ߜߌ߬ ߓߍ߬ ߞߌ߬ߟߌ߬
Ko ia 'i he vaha'a ni(ko ia i he vahaa ni)
ߓߍ߬ߓߊ߬ ߓߌ߬ߜߌ߬ ߓߍ߬ ߞߌ߬ߟߌ߬
Ko ia 'i he tu'a(ko ia i he tua)
ߓߍ߬ߓߊ߬ ߓߌ߬ߜߌ߬ ߓߍ߬ ߞߌ߬ߟߌ߬
Oka e faka'ali'ali mai kiate au 'i he mapa?(oka e fakaali ali mai kiate au i he mapa)
ߓߍ߬ߓߊ߬ ߓߌ߬ߜߌ߬ ߓߍ߬ ߞߌ߬ߟߌ߬
Tū 'i he 'aiga, kataki(tu i he aiga kataki)
ߓߍ߬ߓߊ߬ ߓߌ߬ߜߌ߬ ߓߍ߬ ߞߌ߬ߟߌ߬
E taha e taimi?(e taha e taimi)
Shopping and dining
Ordering food, asking prices, paying the bill, and shopping at markets or stores.
ߊߞߊ ߟߌ߬ߓߊ ߞߊ߬ߙߌߟߌ?
Ehia te fua o kēia?(ehia te fua o kehā)
߉ߠߊ ߞߊ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߟߌ߬ߓߊ ߞߊ߬ߙߌ
Ko ia, e lahi loā(ko ia e lahi loa)
ߊߞߊ ߡߊ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߞߊ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߞߌ߬ߙߌ?
Ofa mai ha meʻakai e ngāue?(ofa mai ha meakai e ngau)
ߊߞߊ ߡߊ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߡߌ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߞߌ߬ߙߌ?
E mafai au ke totongi e pātu?(e mafai au ke totongi e patu)
ߊߞߊ ߡߊ ߞߊ ߞߌ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߡߌ߬ߙߌ
Ofa atu au ke he meʻakai e tolu(ofa atu au ke he meakai e tolu)
ߊߞߊ ߡߊ ߞߌ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߡߌ߬ߙߌ
Te fua, kataki(te fua kataki)
ߊߞߊ ߡߊ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߞߊ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߞߌ߬ߙߌ?
E aofia ai te ngāue?(e aofia ai te ngau)
ߊߞߊ ߡߊ ߞߊ ߞߌ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߡߌ߬ߙߌ
O au ko e meʻakai(o au ko e meakai)
ߊߞߊ ߡߊ ߞߊ ߞߌ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߡߌ߬ߙߌ
Kātoa ʻa e meʻakai ʻālohi, kataki(katoa a e meakai alohi kataki)
ߊߞߊ ߡߊ ߞߊ ߞߌ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߡߌ߬ߙߌ
Ko ʻeni, e lelei(ko eni e lelei)
ߊߞߊ ߡߊ ߞߊ ߞߌ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߡߌ߬ߙߌ?
E mafai au ke maʻu e meʻakai?(e mafai au ke mau e meakai)
ߊߞߊ ߡߊ ߞߊ ߞߌ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߡߌ߬ߙߌ
Ha ipu vai, kataki(ha ipu vai kataki)
Emergencies and health
Help, police, doctor, pharmacy, and urgent situations when you need assistance fast.
ߞߊ߬ߟߊ߬ ߞߍ߬ߟߌ߬
Tū mai e polisi(Kâkâ lîsî)
ߞߊ߬ߟߊ߬ ߟߌ߬ߞߌ߬ ߡߊ߬ߟߊ߬
Tū mai e ambulance(Kâkâ ambûlâns)
ߘߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߡߊ߬ߖߊ߬
Ofa mai e fomaʻi(Dî nîdâ dâktôr)
ߘߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߟߊ߬
Oku ou fehi(Dî fîl sîk)
ߘߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߟߍ߬ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߡߊ߬ߣߊ߬
Oku ou maʻu e fakamātoato ki e pīnati(Dî âmâ lêrjîk tû pînâts)
ߞߍ߬ ߝߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߡߊ߬ߖߊ߬ ߡߊ߬ߞߌ߬?
Ko e fea e hōspitali lahi?(Kô wâhâ nîrâst hôspîtâl)
ߘߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߡߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߟߊ߬
Oku ʻi ai e ʻā(Dî hûrts hîr)
ߘߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߡߊ߬ߖߊ߬ ߙߊ߬ߓߊ߬
Naʻe ou fā e pāsipoti(Dî lôst mî pâspôrt)
ߞߍ߬ ߡߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߟߊ߬ߖߊ߬ ߙߊ߬ߚߊ߬?
Te ke tū mai e hoteli ko hoku?(Kâ nû kâl mî hôtêl)
ߞߍ߬ ߡߊ߬ߡߊ߬!
Fakamolemole!(Kâ hâlp!)
Work and business
Meetings, email tone, schedules, and professional phrases for the workplace.
መይ ወይ ደሊ እንደ ወይ
Mālō e lelei(mey wey deli ende wey)
ንደ ወርክ ወን ወይ
Tōmua ta seti ha fakataha(nda werk wen wey)
ንደ ወይ ወይ ወይ
Ko e hā e taimi e lelei kiate koe?(nda wey wey wey)
እኔ ወይ ወርክ ወይ ወይ
Te u fa'ahinga e lipooti 'i he 'aho ni(eñe wey werk wey wey)
ንደ ወይ ወይ ወይ
Tēnā mafai ta talanoa 'i he 'aho 'apongipongi?(nda wey wey wey)
ንደ ወይ ወይ ወይ
Kātoa e faile 'oku fakafā(nda wey wey wey)
መይ ወይ ወይ ወይ
Mālō 'aupito kiate koe(mey wey wey wey)
እኔ ወይ ወይ ወይ
Te u fie ma'u ke ngāue mo koe(eñe wey wey wey)
ንደ ወይ ወይ ወይ
Kātoa e mafai ke ke fakakaukau 'a e konga 'o ia?(nda wey wey wey)
ንደ ወይ ወይ ወይ
Tēnā e 'alu au kiate koe(nda wey wey wey)
ንደ ወይ ወይ ወይ
Ko e ta'u 'o e ngāue ko e Falaite(nda wey wey wey)
Time, days and numbers
Clock times, days of the week, months, quantities, and counting for appointments and plans.