Sranantongo
What does "fa waka" mean?
fa waka is Sranantongo for how goes it. Pronounced fa WA-ka.
The standard greeting: fa is how, waka is to walk or to go. You say it to anyone you know even slightly, from a neighbour to a market seller. The usual reply is "bun" or "ala sani bun", all good. Slightly more formal is "fa yu tan", how are you keeping. In the Netherlands fawaka as one word has become the best-known Sranan phrase, including among people with no Surinamese background.
Fa waka? Ala sani bun. (How are things? All good.)
It is not about walking and it is not a question about your health. It is the social opener, and a short "bun" is a complete answer. Delivering a full report is the mistake visitors make.
Frequently asked questions
What does fa waka mean in English?
fa waka is Sranantongo and literally means how goes it. The standard greeting: fa is how, waka is to walk or to go. You say it to anyone you know even slightly, from a neighbour to a market seller. The usual reply is "bun" or "ala sani bun", all good. Slightly more formal is "fa yu tan", how are you keeping. In the Netherlands fawaka as one word has become the best-known Sranan phrase, including among people with no Surinamese background.
How do you pronounce fa waka?
Say it as fa WA-ka. Sranantongo is understood by almost everyone in Paramaribo, including people who speak Dutch, Sarnami or Javanese at home.
Is Sranantongo a real language?
Yes. Sranantongo is a full creole language with its own grammar and spelling, formed in Suriname with roots in English, Dutch, Portuguese and West African languages. Dutch is the official language of Suriname, but Sranantongo is the lingua franca on the street.