Words and phrases used in Kuanua greetings and expressions of gratitude.
Greetings
Good morning. Bona malana. In short you can say malana, the same as just saying morning.
Good day. Bona keake. In short you can say keake.
Good afternoon. Bona ravian. In short you can say ravian.
Good night. Bona marum. In short marum.
Good morning. Bona malana. In short malana.
Hello. Tabaiga or Abara
Tabaiga is used in Kokopo and Toma. Abara is used in the North Coast.
How are you? A nilaun? The response phrase is Iau boinaka. I am good/fine. And to inquire back is Ma u?
Gratitude
Thank you. Boina. Thank you very much. Boina tuna.
Boina is also used to express quality such as good. The opposite of boina (good) is kaina (bad).
Seasons Greetings
Christmas: Many Kuanua speakers now use Merry Christmas. Bona Bung Na Lukara Na Kinakava or in short Bona Bung Na Kinakava. The word lukara here means festive, as in festive season.
Easter: Paska. Good Easter. Bona Paska. Happy Easter. Bona Gugu Na Paska. Happy Easter Celebrations. Bona Na Lukara Na Paska. Happy Easter Celebrations
Note: Edited on 22/12/2016. Ismael K. Isikel
