Sustainability & Eco

1. 'O fea e mafai ai ona ou toe fa'aaogaina lenei mea?

   'O fea e ma-FAI ai o-na ou TOE fa-'a-a-O-ga-i-na le-NEI mea?

   Where can I recycle this?

   Usage

   Used when asking where to find a recycling facility

   Grammar Note

   "e mafai ai ona" is the Samoan ability construction meaning "it is possible to / can"

2. E iai ni taga e mafai ona toe fa'aaogaina?

   E i-AI ni TA-ga e ma-FAI o-na TOE fa-'a-a-O-ga-i-na?

   Do you have reusable bags?

   Usage

   Ask at a shop to avoid single-use plastic bags

   Grammar Note

   "e iai" is the existential phrase in Samoan meaning "there is / there are"

3. E iai se faletalimalo e talafeagai ma le siosiomaga?

   E i-AI se FA-le-ta-li-MA-lo e ta-la-fe-A-gai ma le si-o-si-O-ma-ga?

   Is there eco-friendly accommodation?

   Usage

   Used when searching for sustainable lodging options

   Grammar Note

   "talafeagai ma" means "suitable for / compatible with", used to describe eco-suitability

4. Ou te mana'o e toe fa'atumu la'u fagu vai.

   Ou te MA-na-'o e TOE fa-'a-TU-mu la-'u FA-gu VAI.

   I'd like to refill my water bottle.

   Usage

   Use this to request a water refill and reduce plastic waste

   Grammar Note

   "ou te mana'o" expresses desire — "I want to / I wish to"

5. E iai ni mea'ai mo i latou e taumafa la'au?

   E i-AI ni mea-'AI mo i la-TOU e TAU-ma-fa LA-'au?

   Are there vegetarian or vegan options?

   Usage

   Ask at restaurants to find plant-based menu options

   Grammar Note

   "e taumafa la'au" literally means "eating plants/trees" — used to describe vegetarian diet

6. E fa'apefea ona ou alu i … i le fefolauva'aiga a le atunu'u?

   E fa-'a-pe-FE-a o-na ou a-LU i ... i le fe-fo-lau-va-'a-I-ga a le a-tu-nu-'U?

   How can I get to... by public transport?

   Usage

   Use when asking for public transport directions

   Grammar Note

   "fa'apefea ona" is the Samoan way to ask "how to do something / by what means"

7. 'O fea le maketi fa'alenatura e sili ane ona latalata?

   'O fea le ma-KE-ti fa-'a-le-na-TU-ra e SI-li a-ne o-na la-ta-LA-ta?

   Where is the nearest organic market?

   Usage

   Use when looking for locally grown or organic produce

   Grammar Note

   "e sili ane ona latalata" is a superlative construction meaning "the most near / closest"

8. Fa'amolemole fa'aaogaina le afu sili itiiti.

   Fa-'a-mo-le-MO-le fa-'a-a-O-ga-ina le A-fu SI-li i-ti-I-ti.

   Please use minimal packaging.

   Usage

   Use at shops or markets to request minimal packaging

   Grammar Note

   "fa'amolemole" is the Samoan word for "please", placed at the start of a polite request

9. 'O a gaoioiga o le turisi fa'alenatura e maua iinei?

   'O a ga-o-i-O-i-ga o le TU-ri-si fa-'a-le-na-TU-ra e MAU-a ii-NEI?

   What eco-tourism activities are available here?

   Usage

   Use when seeking eco-tourism experiences in the area

   Grammar Note

   "'o a" is a Samoan interrogative meaning "what / which kind of". Samoan has no single word for eco-tourism; it is expressed as "turisi" (tourism) with the modifier "fa'alenatura" (nature-based) following it.

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