Language/Samoan/Grammar/Present-Tense
Samoan is a language spoken in Samoa, American Samoa, and diaspora communities around the world. It is a Polynesian language and shares many similarities with other Polynesian languages such as Tongan and Maori. In this lesson, you will learn how to conjugate verbs in the present tense in Samoan, including regular and irregular verbs.
Regular Verbs
Regular verbs in Samoan are verbs that follow a consistent pattern in their present tense conjugation. They follow the same pattern as other Polynesian languages, such as Hawaiian, where the verb root remains the same and endings are added to indicate the subject of the sentence.
To conjugate regular verbs in the present tense, follow these steps:
1. Identify the verb root. This is the bare form of the verb, without any endings or particles attached to it. For example, the verb "saili" means "to choose," and its root is "saili." 2. Add the appropriate ending to indicate the subject of the sentence. The endings are different depending on whether the subject is singular or plural, and whether the subject is in the first, second, or third person. For example, if the subject is singular and in the first person (I), the ending is "au." If the subject is plural and in the second person (you all), the ending is "outou." See the table below for a list of endings for each subject and whether they are singular or plural.
| Subject | Singular Ending | Plural Ending |
|---|---|---|
| 1st Person (I) | -au | -tausaga |
| 2nd Person (You) | -oe | -outou |
| 3rd Person (He/She/It/They) | -e/-o | -tou |
3. Add the ending to the verb root to make the present tense form of the verb. For example, the present tense of "saili" for the first person singular is "sailiau," and for the second person plural it is "sailioutou."
Here are some examples of regular verbs in the present tense:
- Tofa. (Goodbye.)
- O a mai le fale? (Is the house coming?)
- Ua faatulou atu la’u filemu. (I have finished my calmness.)
Irregular Verbs
While most Samoan verbs are regular, some verbs do not follow this pattern and are irregular. These verbs require memorization of their present tense forms. Here are some common irregular verbs in the present tense:
- Fia - to want
- Ia - let
- Ola - to live
- Savea - to save
- Sili - better
To conjugate irregular verbs in the present tense, follow these steps:
1. Memorize the present tense form for each subject. Unlike regular verbs, irregular verbs do not follow a consistent pattern, and each subject has its own unique form. 2. Use the appropriate present tense form for the subject of your sentence.
Here are some examples of irregular verbs in the present tense:
- E fia faigaluega lea. (I want to work.)
- E ola lau ulu? (Is your head alive?)
- Ia malosi le pa'u. (Let us strengthen our drums.)
It is important to note that there are several Samoan dialects spoken in Samoa and American Samoa, and the present tense forms of verbs may differ slightly between dialects. However, the present tense conjugation patterns are generally consistent across dialects.
Conclusion
In this lesson, you have learned how to conjugate verbs in the present tense in Samoan, including regular and irregular verbs. By understanding the conjugation patterns and memorizing the irregular verb forms, you can confidently use verbs in the present tense to express actions happening now or actions that occur regularly. In the next lesson, you will learn how to conjugate verbs in the past tense in Samoan.
Other Lessons
- Conditional Mood
- Negation
- Negative Statements
- Questions
- Asking Questions
- Future Tense
- Past Tense
- Adjectives
- Pronouns
- Give your Opinion