Laundry

1. E mafai ona e fufulu a'u 'ofu?

   Can you do the laundry?

   Usage

   Used to request laundry service

   Grammar Note

   "Fufulu" (to wash) is a reduplicated form, suggesting thoroughness. "'Ofu" means "clothes/clothing". In Samoan, reduplication often adds intensity or continuity.

2. 'O fea le fale fufulu 'ofu?

   Where is the laundry?

   Usage

   Used to ask for the location of a laundry facility

   Grammar Note

   "Fale fufulu 'ofu" = "house + wash + clothes" = "clothes-washing place". Samoan often forms place words with "fale" (house/building) + function.

3. 'O afea e toe maua mai ai 'ofu?

   When will the clothes be returned?

   Usage

   Used to ask when laundry will be returned

   Grammar Note

   "'O afea … ai" asks "when" about a future time. Laundry services are typically offered by hotels and larger guesthouses in Samoa.

4. Fa'amolemole olo le 'ofu

   Please iron the clothes

   Usage

   Used to request that clothes be ironed

   Grammar Note

   "Olo" means "to iron/smooth/rub".

5. E iai se mea e fa'amago ai 'ofu iinei?

   Is there a clothes dryer here?

   Usage

   Used to ask if a clothes dryer is available

   Grammar Note

   "Fa'amago" is the causative of "mago" (dry; cf. "vaitau mago" = dry season): "to make dry"; "mea e fa'amago ai 'ofu" is "a thing for drying clothes". Samoa's warm, sunny climate means most laundry is air-dried outdoors. Tumble dryers are less common.

6. Ou te mana'o e fufulu 'ofu i le vai ma'alili

   I would like the clothes washed in cold water

   Usage

   Used to specify cold water washing for delicate clothes

   Grammar Note

   "Vai" means "water (fresh)". "Ma'alili" means "cold/cool" and keeps its koma liliu. The pair "vai ma'alili" (cold water) vs "vai vevela" (hot water) is commonly used.

7. 'O lenei 'ofu e matua palapalā

   This clothes is very dirty

   Usage

   Used to explain that clothes need washing due to dirt

   Grammar Note

   "Matua" is an intensifier meaning "very/thoroughly". "Palapalā" is an adjective meaning "dirty".

8. Fa'amolemole fa'amago le 'ofu

   Please dry the clothes

   Usage

   Used to ask someone to dry washed clothes

   Grammar Note

   "Fa'amago" = "fa'a-" (causative) + "mago" (dry; cf. "vaitau mago" = dry season) = "to make dry". The causative "fa'a-" prefix is very productive in Samoan.

9. 'O le a le tau o le fufulu 'ofu?

   How much does laundry cost?

   Usage

   Used to ask about the cost of laundry service

   Grammar Note

   "'O le a le tau" is the standard price question. "Tau" means "price/cost". Laundry service pricing in Samoa varies by location and facility type.

10. Ua mago le 'ofu i le la

    The clothes have dried in the sun

    Usage

    Used to say that laundry has finished drying

    Grammar Note

    "Ua" is the completive/resultative aspect marker. "La" means "sun". In Samoa's tropical climate, sun-drying laundry is the standard method.

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