O via gunu yaqona?
Do you want some kava?
Pronunciation
Full phrase pronunciation: oh VEE-ah NGOO-noo yah-NGGOH-nah
Word breakdown:
o: oh — “you”
via: VEE-ah — “want”
gunu: NGOO-noo — “drink”
yaqona: yah-NGGOH-nah — “kava”
Notes: Say the phrase in clear parts: o via | gunu | yaqona. In Fijian, g is pronounced like ng, so gunu begins with an NGOO sound. The q in yaqona has a stronger ngg sound, so say yah-NGGOH-nah steadily rather than flattening it.
Common mistake: Beginners may pronounce gunu with a hard English g sound. Keep the Fijian g as ng: NGOO-noo.
Meaning & Use
A phrase you may well hear in Fiji, especially in social settings where yaqona — kava — is being shared. O via gunu yaqona? means “Do you want to drink kava?” or more naturally in English, “Do you want some kava?” It is a useful conversational Fijian question because it teaches the pattern O via…?, meaning “Do you want to…?”
Usage tip: Use this when offering kava directly to one person. The structure O via [verb/noun]? is useful for asking whether someone wants to do or have something.
Good to know: Yaqona is the Fijian word for kava, and it carries cultural and social importance. This is one of those phrases where the object does matter, because kava is not just a drink — it is often part of welcome, conversation, ceremony, and shared time.
Audio