Contacts & SNS

1. 'O ā lou numera telefoni?

   'O-a-lo-u-nu-me-ra-te-le-fo-ni

   What is your phone number?

   Usage

   Used to ask for someone's phone number

   Grammar Note

   "Numera" is borrowed from English "number". "Lou" is the "o"-class possessive for close/inalienable items. Mobile phones are the primary communication method in Samoa

2. 'O ā lau tuatusi imeli?

   'O-a-la-u-tu-a-tu-si-i-me-li

   What is your email address?

   Usage

   Used to ask for someone's email address

   Grammar Note

   "Imeli" is borrowed from English "email". "Tuatusi" originally means postal address, now extended to digital addresses in modern usage

3. E mafai ona ou maua lau Feisbuka?

   E-ma-fai-o-na-ou-ma-u-a-lau-Fei-sbu-ka

   Can I have your Facebook contact?

   Usage

   Used when exchanging social media accounts

   Grammar Note

   "E mafai ona ou maua ...?" is the request form "can I have ...?". "Feisbuka" is the Samoan loan form of English Facebook (same spelling as in the Dating Apps category). "Lau" = your. Social media is widely used in Samoa

4. E mafai ona tatou feso'ota'i?

   E-ma-fai-o-na-ta-tou-fe-so-'o-ta-'i

   Can we stay in touch?

   Usage

   Used when parting to express desire to keep in contact

   Grammar Note

   Samoan "tatou" is inclusive "we" (speaker + listener). "Matou" is exclusive "we" (speaker's group only). This inclusive/exclusive distinction is common in Pacific languages

5. 'O ā lou igoa i luga o le initaneti?

   'O-a-lo-u-i-go-a-i-lu-ga-o-le-i-ni-ta-ne-ti

   What is your online username?

   Usage

   Used to ask for someone's online handle or username

   Grammar Note

   "Initaneti" is borrowed from English "internet". "I luga o" means "on/above". Mobile data is the primary internet access method in Samoa

6. 'O fea e nonofo ai oe?

   'O-fe-a-e-no-no-fo-a-i-o-e

   Where do you live?

   Usage

   Used to ask where someone lives or is staying

   Grammar Note

   "Ai" is a referential particle marking location, reason, or means. "Nonofo" is the reduplicated form of "nofo" (to live/sit), indicating a habitual state

7. 'O le ā lau tuatusi i Apia?

   'O-le-a-la-u-tu-a-tu-si-i-A-pi-a

   What is your address in Apia?

   Usage

   Used to confirm someone's address for mail or delivery

   Grammar Note

   Apia is the capital on Upolu island. "Tuatusi" means address/location. In Samoa, places are often identified by village name or landmark rather than street address

8. Fa'amolemole tusi mai lau numera

   Fa-'a-mo-le-mo-le-tu-si-mai-la-u-nu-me-ra

   Please write down your number

   Usage

   Used to ask someone to write down their number

   Grammar Note

   "Fa'amolemole" is the Samoan word for "please". The directional "mai" indicates the action is oriented toward the speaker — "write it this way (to me)"

9. Ou te fe'au atu ia te oe

   Ou-te-fe-'au-a-tu-i-a-te-o-e

   I will send you a message

   Usage

   Used to tell someone you will message them later

   Grammar Note

   "Atu" is the directional particle for movement away from the speaker, contrasting with "mai" (toward). "Fe'au" originally means messenger/errand, now also used for text messages

10. E iai sau WhatsApp?

    E-i-ai-sa-u-WhatsApp

    Do you have WhatsApp?

    Usage

    Used when wanting to connect via WhatsApp

    Grammar Note

    "E iai" used as a question means "do you have...?". WhatsApp is widely used in Samoa. "Sau" is an informal contracted form of the "a"-class possessive

11. E mana'omia lou numera mo le galuega

    E-ma-na-'o-mi-a-lo-u-nu-me-ra-mo-le-ga-lu-e-ga

    I need your number for work purposes

    Usage

    Used to request contact details for professional purposes

    Grammar Note

    "Manaomia" means to need/require. "Mo" is the purposive preposition meaning "for". Professional contact exchange is important in Samoan business culture

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