Language Learning

1. Ou te a'oa'oina le gagana Samoa

   I am learning the Samoan language

   Usage

   Used to tell someone you are studying Samoan

   Grammar Note

   "Gagana" means "language". "A'oa'oina" is the passive of "a'oa'o" (to teach), meaning "to be taught = to learn". Samoan is an Austronesian Polynesian language.

2. Fa'amolemole fesoasoani ia te a'u

   Please help me

   Usage

   Used to ask for help with language learning

   Grammar Note

   "Fesoasoani" means "to help". "Ia te a'u" is the oblique 1st person singular — "me" ("ia te a'u" or "ia te ita"). Bare "au" is a different word meaning "thy/your".

3. 'O le a le uiga o lenei upu?

   What is the meaning of this word?

   Usage

   Used to ask the meaning of a word

   Grammar Note

   "Uiga" means "meaning/significance". "Upu" means "word". Samoan vocabulary is formed through affixation and reduplication of root words.

4. E fa'apefea ona tautala i le Samoa?

   How do you speak in Samoan?

   Usage

   Used to ask about conversational Samoan

   Grammar Note

   "Tautala" (to talk) is the verb "to speak". Samoan has two major registers: "tautala lelei" (formal speech) and "tautala leaga" (colloquial speech).

5. E te malamalama i le Samoa?

   Do you understand Samoan?

   Usage

   Used to ask if someone understands Samoan

   Grammar Note

   "Malamalama" (to understand/light) is fully reduplicated from "malama". "Te" is the 2nd person singular subject particle. Many Samoans are bilingual in Samoan and English.

6. Fa'amolemole tautala lemu

   Please speak slowly

   Usage

   Used to ask someone to speak more slowly

   Grammar Note

   "Lemu" means "slowly/gently" and is the same word as in "Tautala lemu fa'amolemole". "Tautala lemu" = "speak slowly". This phrase is essential for language learners at any level.

7. Toe fa'amanatu mai

   Please repeat that

   Usage

   Used to ask someone to repeat what they said

   Grammar Note

   "Toe" means "again". "Fa'amanatu mai" = "remind me again". "Mai" (toward speaker) adds "for me". This is one of the most useful phrases for language learners.

8. 'O le gagana Samoa e fiafia ai ou te a'oa'oina

   I enjoy learning the Samoan language

   Usage

   Used to express enjoyment of learning Samoan

   Grammar Note

   "Fiafia" means "joy/happiness". "Ai" is an anaphoric pronoun linking the verb to its referent. Foreigners who speak Samoan are warmly welcomed by Samoans.

9. Ua lelei lau Samoa!

   Your Samoan is very good!

   Usage

   Used to compliment someone's Samoan language ability

   Grammar Note

   "Lau" is the 2nd person singular "a-class" possessive meaning "your". "Ua lelei" = "has become good". Samoan has two possession classes: "a" (active) and "o" (inalienable).

10. E iai se tusi fa'amatala upu Samoa?

    Is there a Samoan dictionary?

    Usage

    Used to ask if a Samoan dictionary is available

    Grammar Note

    "Tusi fa'amatala upu" = "book + explains + words" = "dictionary". Samoan dictionaries include Pratt's classic grammar and online resources like the Samoan Dictionary website.

Browse all TravelPhrases languages