Tālofa! Let’s Talk About the Samoan Language
Even though English is widely spoken, Samoan remains to be their national language. It is soft and beautiful to the ears which is the main reason why it is a good language to learn about. So, are you excited to learn about the Samoan Language?
SAMOAN BLOGS
Talofa!
This is how people living in the Samoan Islands say hi with each other. Today, we are going to learn more Samoan words and phrases so you will understand the language more.
Even though English is widely spoken, Samoan remains to be their national language. It is soft and beautiful to the ears which is the main reason why it is a good language to learn about. So, are you excited to learn about the Samoan Language?
Moreover, the people living in Samoan would be very much delighted if you try to speak their language when you go there someday for a visit. It would be better to learn a couple this early so you will come prepared when you step foot on the Samoan Islands!
The first thing that you must learn is that the Samoan Language has a formal and informal form. The informal form is used in their everyday conversations.
Here are some basic words that you may want to try out:
English
Samoan
Hi or Hello
Talofa
Good morning
Manuia le taeao
Good evening
Manuia le afiafi
Good bye
Tòfā
Good luck
Ia manuia
Good day
Manuia le aso
Yes
'Ioe
No
Leai
Maybe
Ailoga
Welcome
Susu mai
Sorry
Fa'amalie atu
Thank you
Fa'afetai
Please
Fa'amolemole
Big
Tele
Small
La'itiiti
Near
Latalata
Far
Mamao
Now that you know some basic words in Samoan language, you may also want to learn how to count the Samoan way.
English
Samoan
One
Tasi
Two
Lua
Three
Tolu
Four
Fa
Five
Lima
Six
Ono
Seven
Fitu
Eight
Valu
Nine
Iva
Ten
Sefulu
Great! You just learned how to count from one to ten in Samoan. At this point, you are now ready to learn some basic Samoan phrase, so what are we waiting for? Let us proceed and learn to say more things in Samoan!
English
Samoan
What is your name?
O ai lou igoa?
My name is...
O lo'u igoa o...
I'm from...
Ou te sau mai...
Pleased to meet you
Ua ou fiafia ua ta feiloa'i
How are you?
Oa mai oe?
I do not understand
'Ou te lē mālamalama
I do not know
Ou te leiloa
Do you speak English?
E te iloa tautala fa'aIgilisi?
Excuse me
Tulou lava
I love you
Ou te alofa ia te oe
That's it! You have already learned about the Samoan Language and how to speak it. I hope you enjoy this lesson!
Facts about the Samoan language
The Samoan language is the official language of the country. It is estimated that the total number of speakers globally is at 510,000. Here are facts about the language.
There’s a decline in language use
It’s of utmost importance to love and speak on one’s tongue to uphold the Samoan culture. However, in the last decade, there’s a steady decline of everyday conversations in the Samoan language.
But-
Fret not! Famous actors Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson and Jason Momoa placed the Polynesian culture in the limelight and there’s a steady rise in the Samoan language use again.
Language and cultural preservation
To prevent the loss of the language, there are national programs to include this language in television, schools, and content media. It is important our children are acquainted with the language to be able to pass down our mother tongue for the preservation of our culture.