Language/Samoan/Grammar/Future-Tense
Hi Samoan learners! 😊
In this lesson, we will be learning about the future tense in Samoan. The future tense is used to talk about events that will happen in the future.
Future Tense Markers
In Samoan, the future tense is indicated by a specific set of words that are added before the verb. Here are some examples:
| Samoan | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| e::fa'apefea | eh-fah-ah-peh-fah-eh | how will it be? |
| ia ::tofā | yah-toh-faah | will go |
| o ::lo'o | oh-loh-oh | will be |
These markers are used before the verb in a sentence to indicate that the action will take place in the future. For example,
- Ou te ia ::tofā i le fale. (I will go to the house.)
- O lo'o au ::fa'atūlōfale. (I will be building a house.)
It is important to note that in Samoan, there is no difference between "will" and "going to" as in English. Both concepts are conveyed by the future tense marker.
Simple Future Tense
The simple future tense is used to talk about actions that will happen in the future. To form the simple future tense in Samoan, use the future tense marker followed by the verb.
Here are some examples:
| Samoan | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Ou te ::inu taeao. | oh-oo teh ee-noo tah-eh-ah-oh | I will drink tomorrow. |
| Ee ::fa'atau lea i tala. | eh-fah-ah-toh leh-ah ee tah-lah | She will sell stories. |
| O le lua ::mata'upu. | oh leh loo-ah mah-tah-oo-poo | They will have two topics. |
In Samoan, the subject pronoun is usually optional, as the tense marker already indicates the tense and the subject is usually clear from context.
Future Continuous Tense
The future continuous tense is used to talk about ongoing actions or events that will happen in the future. To form the future continuous tense in Samoan, use the future tense marker followed by the verb with the suffix -na.
Here are some examples:
| Samoan | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Ou te ::fai-na uma i le fale. | oh-oo teh fah-ee-nah oo-mah ee leh fah-leh | I will be doing everything in the house. |
| O lo'o ::fa'atupula'ia-na le fale. | oh loh-oh fah-ah-too-poo-lah-ee-ah-nah leh fah-leh | The house will be being painted. |
Note that the suffix -na is added to the verb regardless of whether the subject is singular or plural.
Future Perfect Tense
The future perfect tense is used to talk about completed actions or events in the future. To form the future perfect tense in Samoan, use the future tense marker followed by the verb with the suffix -mu.
Here are some examples:
| Samoan | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Ua taumafai lenei ::tusi, ia ou te ::tapu ::mu. | oo-ah tao-mah-fah-ee leh-neh-ee too-see yah oh-oo teh tah-poo moo | I will have finished this writing by then. |
| O lo'o ::fa'atasi ::mu lea i le fale. | oh loh-oh fah-ah-tah-see moo leh-ah ee leh fah-leh | She will have painted the house. |
The suffix -mu indicates that the action will be completed by a certain time in the future.
Using the Future Tense in Context
To improve your Samoan Grammar, you can also use the Polyglot Club website. Find native speakers and ask them any questions!
Here is a dialogue to illustrate the use of the future tense in context:
- Person 1: E fia ::savali atu i le taeao? (Do you want to go for a walk tomorrow?)
- Person 2: Ou te ia ::savali. (I will go for a walk.)
Cultural Information
In Samoa, the future is often seen as a mystery, and there are many traditional ways of predicting it. One such way is to consult the to'afa, or the family's traditional healers, who can use a variety of methods, such as reading tea leaves, to see into the future. Another way is to look to the stars or the ocean for signs and omens.
Summary
In this lesson, we have learned about the future tense in Samoan, including the future tense markers, simple future tense, future continuous tense, and future perfect tense. We have also seen some examples and a dialogue to illustrate the use of the future tense in context. To improve your Samoan language skills, practice using the future tense in conversation with native speakers. Fafetai tele lava (Thank you very much)! 🤙
➡ 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. 😎
Sources
Related Lessons
- Negation
- Conditional Mood
- Pronouns
- Give your Opinion
- How to Use Have
- Questions
- Plurals
- How to Use Be
- Adjectives