Common Tongan proverbs and figurative idioms with their meanings explained, for an upper-level learner. Front: the Tongan idiom. Back: English meaning and usage note.
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- Ko e ʻOtua mo Tonga ko hoku tofiʻa
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"God and Tonga are my inheritance," the national motto of the Kingdom of Tonga.- Loto lahi
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A big heart, i.e. brave, generous- Loto siʻi
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A small heart, i.e. faint-hearted, timid- Māʻolunga
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High- Fie māʻolunga
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Wanting to seem high or important, i.e. arrogant- Kuo tō e laʻā
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The sun has set, i.e. an era has ended, or someone has died- Fanongo ki he loto
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Listen to your heart, i.e. follow your intuition- ʻE ʻikai ke maʻu ha meʻa taʻe ngāue
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Nothing is gained without work- Kamata mei he lalo
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Start from the bottom, i.e. begin humbly- Ko e lea moʻoni
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The true word, i.e. the honest truth- Loto tauhi lea
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A heart that keeps its word, i.e. loyalty- Kavenga mamafa
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A heavy burden, a serious responsibility- Fatongia fakafāmili
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A family duty or obligation- Tuʻunga māʻolunga
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A high status, a high rank- Founga totonu
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The correct, right way of doing something
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