Money & Exchange

1. E fia le tau?

   E fi-a le tau?

   How much is the price?

   Usage

   The most basic phrase for asking a price

   Grammar Note

   "E fia" (how much/many) is a versatile question phrase for quantity or price.

2. 'O fea le fale tupe?

   'O fe-a le fa-le tu-pe?

   Where is the bank?

   Usage

   When looking for a bank or ATM

   Grammar Note

   "Fale tupe" (house of money) means "bank." The English loanword "panki" is also commonly used.

3. Ou te mana'o e sui tupe.

   Ou te ma-na-'o e sui tu-pe.

   I want to exchange money.

   Usage

   When exchanging foreign currency

   Grammar Note

   "Sui" (to exchange/replace) is a versatile verb in Samoan meaning "to change/swap."

4. E taliaina le kata aitalafu?

   E ta-li-ai-na le ka-ta ai-ta-la-fu?

   Is the credit card accepted?

   Usage

   When checking if credit card payment is accepted

   Grammar Note

   "Taliaina" is the passive of "tali" (to receive/accept) with the suffix "-aina." "Aitalafu" is the word the Central Bank of Samoa glossary uses for credit.

5. Fa'amolemole tu'u mai le risiti.

   Fa-'a-mo-le-mo-le tu-'u mai le ri-si-ti.

   Please give me the receipt.

   Usage

   When requesting a receipt after a purchase

   Grammar Note

   "Risiti" is from English "receipt." "Tu'u mai" (put here/towards me) means "give me" in this context.

6. E tele le tau.

   E te-le le tau.

   The price is too high.

   Usage

   When expressing dissatisfaction with a price or starting price negotiation

   Grammar Note

   "Tele" (many/much/large) is a broad adjective used for quantity, degree, and price. In context it means "the price is high."

7. Ou te totogiina nei.

   Ou te to-to-gi-i-na nei.

   I will pay now.

   Usage

   When indicating immediate payment

   Grammar Note

   "Totogiina" is the transitive form of "totogi" (to pay), with the "-ina" suffix marking direct object relationship.

8. E mafai ona totogi fa'avaega?

   E ma-fa-i o-na to-to-gi fa-'a-va-e-ga?

   Is installment payment possible?

   Usage

   When checking if installment payment is available for a large purchase

   Grammar Note

   "Fa'avaega" = "fa'a-" + "vaega" (part), meaning "in parts". "E mafai ona …" asks "is it possible to …". "'Ese'ese" (various) does not mean instalments and is not used.

9. Ua ou totogiina uma.

   U-a ou to-to-gi-i-na u-ma.

   I have paid in full.

   Usage

   When confirming full payment has been made

   Grammar Note

   "Uma" (all/finished) is placed after a verb to mark completion: "ua totogiina uma" = "have finished paying in full."

10. Fa'amolemole ave mai le tupe totoe.

    Fa-'a-mo-le-mo-le a-ve mai le tu-pe to-to-e.

    Please give me the change (leftover money).

    Usage

    When asking for change after payment

    Grammar Note

    "Tupe totoe" (leftover money) expresses the concept of change naturally in Samoan as "the remaining money."

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