Language/Samoan/Vocabulary/Basic-Greetings
Samoan is a Polynesian language that is spoken by the native Samoan people. Samoan is the official language of Samoa and is also spoken in American Samoa, as well as in other countries around the world. Samoan language and culture are intertwined, and learning Samoan greetings and introductions is an important part of showing respect and friendliness when meeting new people or greeting friends and family. In this lesson, you will learn the most common Samoan greetings to help you get started.
Basic Samoan Phrases
Before you start to learn specific Samoan greetings, here are a few basic phrases that will help you when communicating with Samoan speakers:
- Talofa lava - Hello (formal greeting)
- Tofa soifua - Goodbye (formal and respectful)
- Malo lava - Thank you (formal and respectful)
- Fa'afetai - Thank you (informal)
- Fa'amolemole - Please (formal and respectful)
- Manuia - Cheers (used when raising a glass)
Now, let's move on to specific Samoan greetings.
Greeting Someone
When meeting someone for the first time, or in a formal setting, it is important to use a respectful greeting. Here are some common Samoan greetings:
| Samoan | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Talofa lava | Tah-loh-fah lah-vah | Hello (formal greeting) |
| Malo lava | Mah-loh lah-vah | Thank you (formal and respectful) |
| Fa'afetai | Fah-ah-feh-tie | Thank you (informal) |
| Ia orana | YAH oh-rah-nah | Hello (used in some Samoan communities in French Polynesia) |
Greeting Friends and Family
When greeting friends and family in a more casual setting, there are different Samoan greetings that are typically used:
| Samoan | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Talofa | Tah-loh-fah | Hello (informal greeting) |
| Tofa | Toh-fah | Goodbye (informal) |
| Manaia | Mah-nigh-ah | Wow or Beautiful (used when greeting someone who is dressed up) |
| Fa'afaite | Fah-ah-fah-ee-teh | Congratulations (used when greeting someone who has accomplished something) |
Responding to Samoan Greetings
When someone greets you in Samoan, it is considered polite to respond with a greeting of your own. Here are some responses to common Samoan greetings:
- Talofa - (Response: Talofa)
- Malo lava - (Response: Manuia)
- Fa'afetai - (Response: Fa'afetai tele lava)
When saying "Fa'afetai tele lava" as a response to "Fa'afetai," it means "Thank you very much" and is considered a more respectful response.
Other Useful Phrases
Here are some additional Samoan phrases that may be useful in different situations:
- O a mai oe? - How are you? (informal)
- O lo'o feiloaiina pea ma oe? - Are you busy? (formal and respectful)
- O fea lau fale? - Where is your house?
- O fea lou ofisa? - Where is your office?
- Pe fa'apefea oe? - How are you doing? (informal)
- Ou te sau ia te oe - I miss you
Conclusion
In this lesson, you learned the most common Samoan greetings to show respect and friendliness when meeting new people or greeting friends and family. Be sure to practice these basic phrases and greetings as you continue to learn Samoan. As you become more comfortable with the language, you can expand your vocabulary and learn more complex expressions. Congratulations on taking your first step towards speaking Samoan!
Videos
(7) Basic Phrases | Samoan - YouTube
Learn Basic Samoan Language for Kids - Samoan Words "Clean ...
Other Lessons
- Count to 10
- Colors
- Health
- Feelings and Emotions
- Education
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- Modes of Transportation
- Express Surprise
- Family Members
- Drinks