Greetings

1. Talofa

   Ta-lo-fa

   Hello

   Usage

   The most common Samoan greeting, usable at any time of day

   Grammar Note

   Samoan is an Austronesian Polynesian language with VSO word order. Adding "lava" (truly/indeed) → "Talofa lava" strengthens the greeting

2. Fa'afetai

   Fa-'a-fe-tai

   Thank you

   Usage

   Most common expression of gratitude. "Fa'afetai lava" is more emphatic

   Grammar Note

   The glottal stop is phonemic in Samoan and is written here with an apostrophe ('). The prefix "fa'a-" means "in the manner of / to do". "Fa'asamoa" refers to the Samoan way of life

3. Tofa

   To-fa

   Goodbye

   Usage

   Farewell greeting. "Tofa soifua" is a more formal goodbye meaning "farewell, be well"

   Grammar Note

   Samoan uses VSO word order. "Tofa soifua" — "soifua" means health/life/wellbeing, making it a blessing farewell

4. Mālō

   Mā-lō

   Well done / Good on you

   Usage

   Said to acknowledge someone's effort or work; similar to "well done" or a casual greeting recognizing someone is busy

   Grammar Note

   Mālō doubles as a greeting when passing someone at work. The macron (ā) indicates a long vowel, which is phonemically distinct in Samoan

5. 'O ā mai oe?

   'O ā mai o-e?

   How are you?

   Usage

   Casual enquiry. Reply with "Manuia" (I'm well / fine)

   Grammar Note

   Samoan directional particles "mai" (toward speaker) and "atu" (away from speaker) accompany verbs to indicate direction. VSO structure places the predicate first

6. Manuia

   Ma-nui-a

   I'm well / Fine, thank you

   Usage

   Response to "how are you?". Also used as "have a good day / bless you"

   Grammar Note

   "Manuia" functions adjectivally meaning blessed/well. Used in phrases like "Manuia le Kerisimasi" (Merry Christmas) and "Manuia le Aso" (Have a good day)

7. Afio mai

   A-fi-o mai

   Welcome (honorific)

   Usage

   Formal welcome used for guests or people of high status. Used when welcoming someone into a fale (traditional house)

   Grammar Note

   Samoan has oratorical register with distinct honorific vocabulary. "Afio" is the ceremonial form of "sau" (come). In fa'asamoa, honoring guests is a core cultural value

8. Ia

   I-a

   Yes

   Grammar Note

   Formal "yes" is "Ioe"; "Ia" is informal. "No" is "Leai". Samoan consistently uses VSO word order with the verb (or predicate) before the subject

9. Leai

   Le-ai

   No

   Grammar Note

   "Leai" is the standard negative response. "Le" is the negative marker placed before verbs to negate them (e.g. "Ou te le iloa" = I don't know)

10. 'O lo'u igoa 'o...

    'O lo-'u i-go-a 'o...

    My name is...

    Usage

    Basic self-introduction. Insert your name in place of the ellipsis

    Grammar Note

    Samoan has two possession classes: "a" (active/controllable) and "o" (inalienable — body, kin, names). Names use the "o" class, hence "lo'u igoa" (my name). The second "'o", which introduces the name, is the presentative particle: Pratt gives "'O si 'ou tuagane, 'o Pinono" and the rule "the 'o is inserted before proper names following titles"

11. E te mālamalama i le Igilisi?

    E te mā-la-ma-la-ma i le I-gi-li-si?

    Do you understand English?

    Grammar Note

    Samoan tense particles: "E" (present/habitual), "na" (past), "o le ā" (future). "Mālamalama" means light/clarity/understanding; reduplication adds intensity

12. Ou te le mālamalama

    Ou te le mā-la-ma-la-ma

    I don't understand

    Grammar Note

    Samoan pronouns have full and clitic forms. 1st person singular: "au/ou". Negator "le" precedes the verb. 2nd person: "oe", 3rd person: "ia"

13. 'O fea le fale'oa?

    Where is the toilet/bathroom?

    Usage

    Practical phrase for asking where the toilet is. Essential when traveling.

    Grammar Note

    "'O fea" asks for location in Samoan. "Fale'oa" is a word for toilet/bathroom (the form "faleuila" is also used elsewhere in this data).

14. Ou te le tautala i le gagana Samoa.

    I can't speak gagana Samoa

    Usage

    Used to explain you cannot speak Samoan. Helpful when someone addresses you in the language.

    Grammar Note

    "Le" before the verb negates it. "Gagana Samoa" (the Samoan language) is the official name of the language.

15. 'O le a ou toe sau.

    'O le a ou to-e sau.

    I'll come again

    Usage

    Said when leaving a shop or restaurant

16. Sa ou fiafia tele.

    Sa ou fi-a-fi-a te-le.

    I had a great time

    Usage

    Said as you part ways

17. Fa'afetai, tofā!

    Fa-'a-fe-tai, to-fā!

    Thanks, see you

    Usage

    A casual farewell

18. Manuia le pō

    Ma-nui-a le pō

    Good night

    Usage

    Bedtime greeting in Samoan. Follows the same "manuia" (blessed/well) pattern as "Manuia le aso" (have a good day), combined with pō (night)

19. Leai se mea

    Le-ai se me-a

    You're welcome

    Usage

    Reply to "Fa'afetai" (thank you). Literally "it's nothing"

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