Language/Samoan/Vocabulary/Health

Samoan Vocabulary - Health

Hi Samoan learners! 😊
In this lesson, we will learn about some basic health-related vocabulary in Samoan. It's important to learn these words and phrases, especially if you plan on visiting Samoa or interacting with Samoan speakers who may need to discuss their health. Don't forget to practice with a native speaker! Find native speakers and ask them any questions!

General health

To talk about general health, we need to know the following vocabulary:

Samoan	Pronunciation	English
tautua i le soifua	tau-tua ee-le soi-foo-ah	health services
uo le mafola	oo-oh le mah-foh-lah	injury
soifua maloloina	soi-foo-ah mah-loh-loi-na	healthy
mate / faamate	mah-teh / fah-ah-mah-teh	sick / to be sick
taumafa ave vasa	tau-mah-fa ah-veh vah-sa	CPR

Let's see these words in context in a dialogue:

• Person 1: O le a fia malamalama lava oe i le tautua i le soifua? (Are you well informed about health services?)
• Person 2: Ou te fia malaga i Samoa i le vaiaso fou, ae ou te fa'amaonia le avanoa e fesoasoani i ni isi o taua soifua maloloina. (I want to travel to Samoa next week, but I want to make sure I have the opportunity to use some healthy services.)

At the doctor's

If we are discussing health issues, it can be useful to know some vocabulary related to the doctor's office:

Samoan	Pronunciation	English
faioloaga taulagi	fai-oh-loh-ah-ga taooh-lah-ngi	emergency room
faletua o le dokita	fah-leh-too-ah oh le doh-kee-tah	doctor's office
toso	toh-so	injection
fekau'aki	feh-kah-oo-ah-kee	diagnosis
ofu pito i le manava	oh-foo pee-toh ee leh mah-nah-vah	pulse
tiga taavale	tee-ngah tah-ah-vah-leh	wheelchair

Dialogue:

• Person 1: O lo'o feagai pea oe la'u fazerisiano? (Have you seen my pharmacy?)
• Person 2: E le taua se mea mai kina ua ou i ai toso tele, e fia maua mai se fekau'aki. (We didn't have anything there but a lot of injections, I need to get a diagnosis.)

At the pharmacy

It's always good to know some basic pharmacy vocabulary:

Samoan	Pronunciation	English
pouliuli / maea	poh-oo-lee-oo-lee / mah-eh-ah	pain
ma'u pepa / itu tau	mah-oo peh-pah / ee-too tau	prescription / dosage
lafo le mafola	lah-foh leh mah-foh-lah	band-aid
lopa	loh-pah	medicine
se'i sau'a faapea	seh-ee sah-oo-ah fah-ah-peh-ah	directions

Dialogue:

• Person 1: O fea le fale pepa momona? (Where is the closest pharmacy?)
• Person 2: E tatau ona e faatino taumafai lea mo le lafo le mafola. (We need to make sure we have some supplies like band-aids.)

Cultural information

It's important to note that Samoan culture places a great emphasis on health and wellness, and traditional medicine is still commonly used. Some plants and herbs commonly used for medicinal purposes include:

• Nonu (coconut fruit) is often used to help with stomach issues and to build immunity.
• Vaoala (lemongrass) is used to treat coughs and colds.
• Tuitui (taro leaf and bark) is used as a poultice to treat joint pain.

It's important to also note that Samoa has a relatively low vaccination rate, which can lead to outbreaks of preventable diseases like measles. If you plan on traveling to Samoa, make sure you are up to date on all recommended vaccinations and take necessary precautions.

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➡ If you have any questions, please ask them in the comments section below.
➡ Feel free to edit this wiki page if you think it can be improved. 😎

Other Lessons

• Count to 10
• Drinks
• Greetings
• Education
• Fruits
• How to Say Hello and Greetings
• Food
• Express Surprise
• Clothes

Sources

• Samoan language for health care providers
• Samoan Vocabulary - Health
• Samoan language for health care providers | NFLRC