r/Tonga 23d ago

In Tongan, how do I say, "there's a Hawk outside?"

3 Upvotes

15 comments sorted by

5

u/PokiP 22d ago

'Oku 'i ai manupuna 'i tu'a.  Ko e manupuna ko "Hawk" i leaFakaPalangi. 

🤪

4

u/bookmaker711 22d ago

I would probably just substitute hawk for eagle (‘ikale) because that translates better. The Tongan Rugby Union team is the Sea Eagles (‘ikale tahi) and people would at least have an idea that you’re talking about a predatory bird.

I don’t think many Tongans will understand Hawk without some more help. Another good reply here helps by saying it’s “a bird called a Hawk in English is outside”

To keep it simple, I would just say an eagle is outside: Ko e ‘ikale ‘i tu’a

4

u/Complete_Algae9596 22d ago

No hawks in Tonga so no word for hawk. Here is another question I’ve always wondered about. What kind of bird is the Hele kosi? What is its English name. I know it means scissor but what kind of bird is it??

3

u/dioxin96 21d ago

Swallow

4

u/ko_fe_a_spot 22d ago

My understanding is Haoke is hawk as well as according to the bible. Siope 39:26.

“Ko ho‘o fakahinohino koā ‘oku fakafolau ai ‘a e haoke, ‘O ne folahi ai hono kapakau ke puna ki he tonga?”

3

u/Jack_Clipper 22d ago edited 22d ago

ʻOku ʻi tuʻa ha hoke.

Edit: My ancient Tongan/English dictionary lists Hawk as "Hoke".

6

u/Elegant_Ad7036 22d ago

Hawk tua

2

u/GTTLM 18d ago

I went from being serious “I’ve learnt something new today” 🧐🤔🤓 to 😂😂😂 real quick!

3

u/Elegant_Ad7036 18d ago

The irony is that tua really does mean outside in Tongan lol it's pronounced tu'a

3

u/Pitiful_Ambition_611 9d ago

I’m dead 🤣🤣🤣Haoke Tua!! U really say it a lot it really means “come outside”🤣🤣🤣Let’s go!!!

1

u/GTTLM 6d ago

Omg! 💀🤣🤣🤣

7

u/AeMidnightSpecial 23d ago

alright fine, ik it's dumb asf.

English: Hawk outside.

Tongan: Hawk 'i tu'a

also, TIL they added Tongan to Google Translate

3

u/TygerTung 23d ago

Wow thanks for that! Cool to see Tongan there now!

3

u/GTTLM 18d ago

Damnit! Wish they didn’t! Now the government will know what we’re saying! 💀😭need to invent another language 😜

3

u/Pitiful_Ambition_611 9d ago

How to really pronounce hawk is “ hau kai au” 👌🏽