Saying 'Welcome' in Tongan: 'Malo e lelei' (Pronounced Mah-loh Eh Leh-leh)

The Tongan word for "welcome" (and general greeting) is:

Malo e lelei

Pronunciation: MAH-loh eh LEH-leh (stress on first and third syllables).

• Malo = thank you / gratitude
• e = particle (to/for)
• lelei = good / well

Literal sense: "Thanks for being well" or "Goodness to you." Used for hello, welcome, goodbye, thank you — context-dependent.

Related:

• Malo 'aupito = Thank you very much
• Fefe hake? = How are you?
• Sai pē = Fine/good

Tongan (lea fakatonga) is a Polynesian language spoken by ~100K in Tonga and diaspora (NZ, US, Australia).