Samoan, a Polynesian language, is primarily spoken in Samoa and American Samoa. It’s known for its significant cultural and communal values reflected through language. Learning Samoan can enhance your experience in these regions, allowing for deeper cultural connections. This lesson covers essential conversational phrases and questions in Samoan, designed to facilitate various social interactions.

Greetings

• Hello/Hi – “Talofa” (formal) / “Mālō” (informal)
• Good morning – “Manuia le taeao”
• Good afternoon – “Manuia le aoauli”
• Good evening – “Manuia le afiafi”
• Goodbye – “Tofā soifua” (when leaving) / “Fa” (informal)

Introducing Yourself or Others

• My name is [name]. – “O lo’u igoa o [name].”
• This is [name]. – “O [name] lea.”
• I am from [country]. – “Ou te sau mai [country].”
• I live in [city/place]. – “Ou te nofo i [city/place].”

Asking for Directions or People

• Where is the [place]? – “O fea [place]?”
• How do I get to [place]? – “Fa’afefea ona ou alu i [place]?”
• Is this the way to [place]? – “O le ala lea i [place]?”
• Can you show me on the map? – “E mafai ona e fa’aali mai ia te a’u i le fa’afanua?”

Solving a Misunderstanding

• Sorry, I don’t understand. – “Fa’amalie atu, ou te le malamalama.”
• Can you please repeat that? – “E mafai ona toe fai mai?”
• I mean… – “Ua ou fai mai…”
• What does [word] mean? – “O le a le uiga o [word]?”

Farewell Expressions

• See you later – “Se’i o tatou toe feiloa’i”
• Take care – “Ia manuia le tausiga”
• Have a good day – “Ia manuia le aso”

Travel and Dining

• I would like to book a room. – “Ou te mana’o e tusi se potu.”
• Can I see the menu, please? – “E mafai ona ou va’ai i le lisi, fa’amolemole?”
• I am vegetarian. – “Ou te ‘ai na’o mea’ai la’au.”
• The bill, please. – “Le pili, fa’amolemole.”

Shopping

• How much does this cost? – “E fia le tau o lenei?”
• Do you have this in another size? – “E iai lenei i se isi tele?”
• I’m just looking, thanks. – “O lo’o ou va’ai va’ai lava, fa’afetai.”
• Can I pay by card? – “E mafai ona ou totogi i le kata?”

Dating and Love

• You look beautiful. (to a woman) / You look handsome. (to a man) – “Ua e matagofie.” / “Ua e matagofie.”
• I miss you. – “Ou te misia oe.”
• I love you. – “Ou te alofa ia te oe.”
• Would you like to go out with me? – “E te mana’o e o ma a’u?”

Emergencies

• Help! – “Fesoasoani mai!”
• Call the police! – “Vala’au leoleo!”
• I need a doctor. – “Ou te mana’omia se foma’i.”
• Where is the nearest hospital? – “O fea le falema’i lata ane?”

These phrases provide a solid foundation for basic communication in Samoan. Practice speaking and listening regularly, engage with Samoan media, and don’t hesitate to converse with native speakers. Remember, language learning is a journey—embrace mistakes as learning opportunities and continue to explore the rich linguistic and cultural nuances of the Samoan language.