The language spoken in Tonga is Tongan, which is an Austronesian language of the Polynesian branch. It is the official and national language of Tonga, and it has around 187,000 speakers. Tongan is a VSO (verb–subject–object) language, and it uses the word order verb–subject–object. Tongan is closely related to other Polynesian languages such as Samoan, Tahitian, Hawaiian, Niuean, and Maori. English is also an official language in Tonga, and it is widely spoken in the main towns. However, Tongan is the most commonly used language among the population. An extensive knowledge of Tongan is not necessary for English-speakers to get around and enjoy the kingdom, but learning a few words is always appreciated.