Whilst in Fiji its courteous to try to use some Fijian words. Here are 7 common words to learn before you arrive at Nadi (which is spoken with two n’s i.e. “nandi”) airport.

• Bula wishes a person good health and happiness. Think of it as equivalent to hello. Ni sa bula is used as either a more formal greeting or as a welcome.

• Vinaka is the second most common Fijian word you can expect to hear. It means thank you. Fijians are very friendly and helpful, so remember to say vinaka after being served any food, drinks or if someone offers you help. If you are extra grateful for someone’s help or actions, you can use vinaka vaka levu to say thank you very much. Restaurant staff may use vinaka vaka levu to thank you for dining with them, as do retail staff when you have made a purchase

• Kerekere means please.

• Moce means goodbye. The ‘c’ in Fijian is pronounced ‘th’ so the correct way to pronounce the Fijian word for goodbye is ‘mothay’.

• Io means yes. It is pronounced ‘ee-oh’.

• Sega is no

• While bula can work at any time of day, yadra is the official Fijian way to greet someone in the morning.

Fijians are normally courteous so making a little effort with the local language is a great way to reciprocate their hospitality.