Photography

1. E mafai ona ou pu'e ata o oe?

   May I take a photo of you?

   Usage

   Used to politely ask permission to photograph someone

   Grammar Note

   "Pu'e" means "to catch/capture". "Ata" means "shadow/reflection/image". "Pu'e ata" literally means "to catch an image = take a photo".

2. Fa'amolemole pu'e se ata ma matou

   Please take a photo with us

   Usage

   Used to ask someone to take a photo with your group

   Grammar Note

   "Matou" is the exclusive first person plural (excludes the addressee). Since the person taking the photo is not part of the group, "matou" is used rather than the inclusive "tatou". Samoan pronouns distinguish inclusive from exclusive.

3. E lelei le ata

   The photo came out well

   Usage

   Used to compliment a photo

   Grammar Note

   "Lelei" is a versatile Samoan adjective meaning "good/fine/beautiful". It appears in greetings like "Malō lelei" and many other common expressions.

4. Aua ne'i pu'e ata iinei

   Do not take photos here

   Usage

   Used to indicate photography is not allowed

   Grammar Note

   "Aua ne'i" is the prohibition form meaning "must not/do not". "Iinei" means "here". Photography may be restricted in Samoan churches and traditional ceremony venues.

5. 'O le manaia o lenei ata!

   What a wonderful photo!

   Usage

   Used to express admiration for a beautiful photo

   Grammar Note

   "Manaia" means "beautiful/wonderful/well-presented". The structure "'O le manaia o ..." is an exclamatory expression of admiration.

6. Fa'amolemole feagai ma le malamalama

   Please face toward the light

   Usage

   Used to direct a subject toward a light source for a better photo

   Grammar Note

   "Malamalama" means "light/clarity". The reduplicated form (malama-lama) expresses continuity of light. "Feagai ma" means "to face". ("Tata" means "to hit", so it is not used here.)

7. E iai sau mea pu'eata?

   Do you have a camera?

   Usage

   Used to ask if someone has a camera

   Grammar Note

   "Mea pu'eata" is a "thing for catching pictures" (pu'e = catch, ata = image/photo), i.e. a camera. "E iai sau X" is the possessive question structure "do you have X?". "Sau" is a second person singular possessive.

8. Pu'e mai se ata o le afu

   Take a photo of the waterfall

   Usage

   Used to ask someone to photograph a waterfall or scenic spot

   Grammar Note

   Directional "mai" adds the nuance of "take (for me/toward me)". Samoa has stunning waterfalls like Tiavi Falls and Sopoaga Falls that are popular photography spots.

9. 'O le a le numera o lou igoa i le IG?

   What is your Instagram username?

   Usage

   Used to ask for someone's Instagram account

   Grammar Note

   "IG" is an abbreviation for Instagram. Social media is popular among young Samoans, and English abbreviations are used directly. Instagram is popular for sharing Samoan scenery.

10. Tumu le ata i le aulelei o Samoa

    The photo is filled with the beauty of Samoa

    Usage

    Used to describe a photo that captures the beauty of Samoa

    Grammar Note

    "Tumu" means "full/filled". "Aulelei" means "beauty/grace". Samoa's natural beauty — coral reefs, rainforests, waterfalls — makes it an exceptional photography destination.

Browse all TravelPhrases languages