Adjectives

1. Tele

   Big

   Usage

   For asking for another size; use it with a gesture

2. La'ititi

   Small

   Usage

   For describing clothing or room size

3. Mamafa

   Heavy

   Usage

   For excess baggage, or asking someone to lift something

4. Māmā

   Light (weight)

   Usage

   About weight only — in many languages this is a different word from “bright”

   Grammar Note

   "Māmā" is light in weight; it is distinguished from "mamā" (clean) by vowel length.

5. Taugatā

   Expensive

   Usage

   The opening move in a haggle; pair it with a face

6. Taugofie

   Cheap

   Usage

   For asking whether a cheaper option exists

7. Vevela

   Hot (thing)

   Usage

   About food, drink, or water — not the same word as hot weather

   Grammar Note

   "Vevela" is a hot object; hot weather is "vevela le tau."

8. Mālūlū

   Cold (thing)

   Usage

   About drinks and food — not the same word as cold weather

9. Fou

   New

   Usage

   For checking whether something is unused

10. Leva

    Old (thing)

    Usage

    For objects only; used of people it is rude in many languages

    Grammar Note

    "Leva" (long-standing) is for objects; it is not used of people.

11. Talavou

    Young

    Usage

    About a person's age; a small-talk word

12. Matua

    Old (person)

    Usage

    The dedicated word for people; pick the respectful one

    Grammar Note

    "Matua" is the respectful word for an elder; deference to elders underpins Samoan conversation.

13. Mamā

    Clean

    Usage

    For a clean room or clean water, and for a beautiful view

14. Palapalā

    Dirty

    Usage

    Useful when asking to change rooms

15. Lelei

    Good

    Usage

    The all-purpose word for agreement and approval

16. Leaga

    Bad

    Usage

    For saying that your health or an item's quality is poor

17. Latalata

    Near

    Usage

    For checking whether somewhere is within walking distance

18. Mamao

    Far

    Usage

    Tells you whether you need transport

19. Vave

    Early

    Usage

    About clock time; in many languages a different word from “fast”

    Grammar Note

    "Vave" covers both early and fast; for clock time, qualify it, e.g. "vave i le taeao."

20. Tuai

    Late

    Usage

    About clock time; in many languages a different word from “slow”

    Grammar Note

    "Tuai" is being late; slow in speed is "lemu."

21. E tele

    Many

    Usage

    About quantity or how crowded somewhere is

    Grammar Note

    Quantity is expressed verbally as "e tele"; it shares its stem with "tele" (big), so the clause form keeps them apart.

22. Itiiti

    Few

    Usage

    Also useful for asking for a smaller portion

23. Vevela le tau

    Hot (weather)

    Usage

    About the weather — a different word from a hot object

24. Mālūlū le tau

    Cold (weather)

    Usage

    About the weather — a different word from a cold object

25. Aulelei

    Cute

    Usage

    Used for people and things; closer to "beautiful/lovely"

26. Manaia

    Cool

    Usage

    Mainly about looks; a common everyday compliment

27. Suamalie

    Delicious

    Usage

    The word you will reach for most often at the table

28. Ofoofogia

    Amazing

    Usage

    An expression of surprise and admiration

29. Fiafia

    Fun

    Usage

    For describing an experience itself; also covers "happy"

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