Ratou gone itovo vinaka na luvemu.
Your children are very polite.
Pronunciation
Full phrase pronunciation: rah-TOH NGOH-neh ee-TOH-voh vee-NAH-kah nah loo-VEH-moo
Word breakdown:
ratou: rah-TOH — “they”; used for a small group of people
gone: NGOH-neh — “child”, “children”
itovo: ee-TOH-voh — “behaviour”, “manners”, “character”
vinaka: vee-NAH-kah — “good”, “kind”, “proper”
na: nah — “the”
luvemu: loo-VEH-moo — “your child”, “your children”
Notes: Say the phrase in smaller parts: ratou gone | itovo vinaka | na luvemu. In Fijian, g is pronounced like ng, so gone begins NGOH. Keep itovo vinaka steady and clear, as this is the heart of the compliment.
Common mistake: Beginners may pronounce gone with a hard English g. In Fijian, keep it nasal: NGOH-neh.
Meaning & Use
A warm compliment about someone’s children, meaning “Your children are very polite” or “Your children are well behaved.” The useful phrase here is itovo vinaka, which means “good behaviour,” “good manners,” or “polite character.”
Usage tip: Use this when complimenting a parent or family member about their children’s manners. It is positive, respectful, and socially warm.
Good to know: Ratou refers to a small group of people, often three or more. Here it points to the children as a group, while luvemu means “your child/children.”
Audio