Traveling with Kids

1. 'O fea le malae ta'alo?

   'O fe-a le ma-lae ta-'a-lo?

   Where is the playground?

   Usage

   When looking for a playground

   Grammar Note

   "Malae" (open space/field) denotes a gathering or activity area in Samoan. Combined with "ta'alo" (to play), it means "playground."

2. E iai se mea ai mo tamaiti?

   E i-ai se me-a ai mo ta-mai-ti?

   Is there food for children?

   Usage

   When asking about children's food at a restaurant

   Grammar Note

   "Mea ai" (food) = "mea" (thing) + "ai" (to eat). Samoan frequently combines "mea" (thing) with verbs to form nouns.

3. Ua leiloa la'u tama.

   U-a lei-lo-a la-'u ta-ma.

   My child is lost.

   Usage

   Emergency phrase when a child is lost

   Grammar Note

   "La'u" is the first-person singular "a-class" possessive. Samoan has two possessive classes: "o-class" (inalienable/dominant objects) and "a-class" (alienable/controlled objects).

4. E saogalemu mo tamaiti?

   E sao-ga-le-mu mo ta-mai-ti?

   Is it safe for children?

   Usage

   When checking if an activity or food is safe for children

   Grammar Note

   "Saogalemu" is an adjective meaning "safe/secure."

5. E iai se potu e fa'asusu ai?

   E i-ai se po-tu e fa-'a-su-su ai?

   Is there a nursing/feeding room?

   Usage

   When looking for a room to breastfeed a baby

   Grammar Note

   "Ai" in "e fa'asusu ai" is a pronoun-like particle indicating the place or means of the action.

6. E iai se nofoaga mālōlō mo tamaiti?

   E i-ai se no-fo-a-ga mā-lō-lō mo ta-mai-ti?

   Is there a rest area for children?

   Usage

   When looking for a rest spot for children during long trips or sightseeing

   Grammar Note

   "Mo" is the "a-class" preposition in Samoan, indicating purpose or beneficiary. "Mo tamaiti" means "for children."

7. E fia tausaga lou tama?

   E fi-a tau-sa-ga lou ta-ma?

   How old is your child?

   Usage

   When checking a child's age (e.g., for entry fees or discounts)

   Grammar Note

   "Tausaga" means "year/age" in Samoan. "E fia tausaga" (how many years) is the standard expression for asking age.

8. E maua se ta'avale tamaiti?

   E mau-a se ta-'a-va-le ta-mai-ti?

   Is a stroller available?

   Usage

   When asking for a stroller to borrow or buy

   Grammar Note

   "Ta'avale tamaiti" (children's vehicle) means stroller. The English loanword "pram" is also used.

9. E iai ni mea ta'alo mo tamaiti?

   E i-ai ni me-a ta-'a-lo mo ta-mai-ti?

   Are there toys for children?

   Usage

   When looking for children's toys

   Grammar Note

   "Mea ta'alo" = "mea" (thing) + "ta'alo" (to play), literally "thing for playing" = toy.

10. E iai se tau fa'aitiitia mo tamaiti?

    E i-ai se tau fa-'ai-ti-i-ti-a mo ta-mai-ti?

    Is there a children's discount?

    Usage

    When checking for children's discounts at attractions or transport

    Grammar Note

    "Fa'aitiitia" = causative "fa'a-" + "itiiti" (little/small) + passive "-a" = "made smaller" = reduced/discounted.

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