Gagana Samoa
Samoa Language
PACIFIC
LANGUAGE
WEEKS
Gagana Samoa | Samoan Language
The core Samoan alphabet is comprised of 14 letters:
O le Pi Faitau | The Samoan Alphabet
The consonants (konesane): F, G, L, M, N, P, S, T and V
The vowels (vaueli): A, E, I, O and U (as in the English language: are, Aa Ee Ii
there, three, or, too). Ato (Bag) Elefane (Elephant) Ipu (Cup)
These vowels have the same pronunciation as other Pacific languages, Oo Uu Ff
including te reo Māori (Māori language). Ofu (Clothes) Uati (Watch) Fagu (Bottle)
The letters K, H and R are also used, but usually for foreign loanwords Gg Ll Mm
and/or for colloquial language. Vowels can be long or short. Long vowels Gata (Snake) Logo (Bell) Moa (Chicken)
are marked with a macron (e.g. ā).
Nn Pp Ss
ā, ē, ī, ō, ū Nofoa (Chair) Pusi (Cat) Solofanua (Horse)
(as in the English language: father, egg, feet, thought, loot) Tt Vv Hh
Ta'avale (Car) Va'a (Boat) Helikopa
It is important that the short and long vowel sounds are used, as they (Helicopter)
distinguish between different words e.g. ava (respect) verses āvā (wife). Kk Rr
Kirikiti (Cricket) Rāpiti (Rabbit)
The glottal stop ( ' ) is also used in Samoan and is treated as a consonant.
It creates a pause between two vowels or creates a sharper sound when
used at the start of a word, as the sound made in the English word uh-oh. AEIOU
Using the glottal stop, distinguishes different words such as fa’i (banana)
FGLMNPSTVHKR
and fai (to do), or ‘ulu (breadfruit) and ulu (head).
Gagana Samoa
Samoa Language
Gagana o aso uma | Everyday phrases
Samoan English Samoan English
Tālofa lava Greetings/Hello O ai lou igoa? What is your name?
Tōfā Goodbye O lo’u igoa o ______ My name is ______
Fa’amolemole Please O fea e te sau ai? Where are you from?
Fa’afetai Thank you Ou te sau mai ______ I am from ______
Malie / Fa’amalie atu /
Sorry O fea e te faigaluega ai? Where do you work?
Fa’amālūlū atu
Tulou Excuse me Ou te faigaluega i ______ I work at ______
Gagana Samoa
Samoa Language
Gagana o aso uma | Everyday phrases
Samoan English Samoan English
O ā mai oe? How are you (singular)? I la’u imeli talu ai… As per my previous email…
Ou te fiafia e fa’atalanoa atili
O ā mai oulua? How are you (dual)? Happy to discuss
lenei mataupu
Uo o’o i le taimi o le
O ā mai outou? How are you (plural)? It’s gym time!
fa’amalosi tino!
O lea ou te manuia fa’afetai I am good, thank you Vili mai / Vala’au mai Call me
Have you eaten? Come eat
Ua e ‘ai? Sau ta a’ai Fa’amālō atu! Congratulations!
with me
Fa’amalie atu i le tuai atu o Apologies for the delayed
E lelei le Atua! God is good!
se tali… response...
Gagana Samoa
Samoa Language
Gagana o aso uma | Everyday phrases
Samoan English Samoan English
Matai Chief/Orator Tinā Mother
Tuafafine (male to female),
Faife’au Church Minister Sister
Uso (female to female)
Tuagane (female to male),
Tamaitiiti / Teineitiiti Child Brother
Uso (male to male)
Tamā Father Uō Friends
Gagana Samoa
Samoa Language
Faith is an important aspect
of the Samoan culture.
Below is a short prayer and hymn that can be used at the start
of your day, to open a meeting or small gathering.
Tatalo | Prayer Pese | Hymn
Samoan English Samoan English
Tātou tatalo Let us pray E alofa le Atua ia te a’u My God loves me
Lo matou Tamā o i le lagi Our heavenly father Ma mea matagofie ua ou
And all the wonders I see
va’aia
Ia e fa’amanuia mai, i lenei We ask for your blessings Le nuanua e susulu mai i The rainbow shines
vaiaso this week lo’u fa’amalama through my window
To each and every one of
Ia te i matou uma ta’ito’atasi E alofa le Atua ia te a’u My God loves me
us
In Jesus name we pray,
I le suafa o Iesu, Āmene.
Amen.
Gagana Samoa
Samoa Language
