Transportation

1. 'O fea le nofoaga o le pasi?

   'O-fe-a-le-no-fo-a-ga-o-le-pa-si

   Where is the bus stop?

   Usage

   Buses are the main public transport in Samoa. Used when looking for a bus stop on Upolu or Savai'i islands

   Grammar Note

   "'O fea" (where) is placed at the start of the question. "Le" is the definite article. "Nofoaga" = "nofo" (sit/dwell) + "-aga" (locative suffix)

2. Fa'amolemole ave a'u i...

   Fa-'a-mo-le-mo-le-a-ve-a-'u-i

   Please take me to...

   Usage

   Used in taxis or when asking for a ride to a destination

   Grammar Note

   Samoan preposition "i" indicates direction or location (to/at). "A'u" is the 1st person singular object pronoun. Add destination name after "i"

3. 'O le a le tau o le ta'avale?

   'O-le-a-le-tau-o-le-ta-'a-va-le

   What is the taxi fare?

   Usage

   Important phrase to confirm the taxi fare before boarding

   Grammar Note

   "Ta'avale" is the Samoan word for car/vehicle (also a word meaning "to roll"). "'O le a" means "what is?" in questions

4. 'O le a le taimi e malaga ai le va'a?

   'O-le-a-le-tai-mi-e-ma-la-ga-ai-le-va-'a

   What time is the ferry?

   Usage

   Used to check ferry times between Upolu and Savai'i islands

   Grammar Note

   "Va'a" is the general word for boat/vessel. The ferry connecting Apia (Upolu) and Savai'i is a key transport link. The glottal stop in "va'a" is phonemically distinct

5. Ua ou leiloa

   Ua-ou-lei-lo-a

   I am lost

   Usage

   Used to ask for help when lost

   Grammar Note

   "Ua" marks perfect aspect/state change in Samoan (a new state has been reached). "Leiloa" is a single verb meaning to be lost / to get lost

6. 'O fea Apia?

   'O-fe-a-A-pi-a

   Where is Apia?

   Usage

   Used to ask for directions to Apia, the capital of Samoa

   Grammar Note

   Apia is located on Upolu island, the capital of Samoa. Location questions take the form "'O fea + subject". "'O" is the presentative particle

7. Taofi iinei, fa'amolemole

   Ta-o-fi-ii-nei-fa-'a-mo-le-mo-le

   Stop here / Please stop

   Usage

   Used in taxis or buses to signal the driver to stop

   Grammar Note

   Samoan imperative is formed with the bare verb (no conjugation). "Taofi" = stop, "iinei" = here, and a closing "fa'amolemole" makes it polite. The same wording appears in the public transport card "Fa'amolemole taofi iinei"

8. 'O le a le ala i le malae va'alele?

   'O-le-a-le-a-la-i-le-ma-la-e-va-'a-le-le

   Which is the road to the airport?

   Usage

   Used to ask for directions to Faleolo International Airport on Upolu island

   Grammar Note

   "Malae" = ground/open space, "va'alele" = va'a (canoe/vessel) + lele (to fly) = aircraft. Together they form "airport". Samoan frequently creates compound nouns for modern concepts

9. Ua leva le taimi

   Ua-le-va-le-tai-mi

   It is taking a long time

   Usage

   Used when travel is delayed or taking longer than expected

   Grammar Note

   "Ua" marks state change/completion. "Leva" is an adjective meaning long (time) or far. Samoan adjectives function as predicates ("Ua leva" = it has become long)

10. Tatala le faitoto'a

    Ta-ta-la-le-fai-to-to-'a

    Open the door please

    Usage

    Used to ask for the vehicle door to be opened

    Grammar Note

    "Tatala" is the reduplicated form of "tala" (open/unfurl), adding emphasis or continuity. Samoan reduplication intensifies verbs and adjectives

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