Learning Gagana Sāmoa: An Essential Samoan-to-English Vocabulary Guide
The Samoan islands, the cradle of Polynesia, are defined by a rich, beautiful, and deeply respected cultural way of life known as Fa'a Sāmoa. At the heart of this ancient tradition is the Samoan language, Gagana Sāmoa. For travellers, students, or anyone with a connection to the Pacific, learning a few key words and phrases is the first and most respectful step in engaging with the Samoan people and their vibrant culture.
Gagana Sāmoa is an elegant Polynesian language, distinctive for its soft pronunciation, its reliance on the glottal stop ( ' ), and its use of long and short vowels. Mastering even a simple vocabulary opens up doors to genuine connection, showing respect for the history and traditions of one of the world's oldest cultures. This comprehensive guide provides an essential Samoan-to-English word list, covering everything from greetings to cultural terminology.
The Foundations of Gagana Sāmoa: Pronunciation Notes
Before diving into the words, understanding a few simple rules about Samoan pronunciation is key:
- Vowels: Samoan has five vowels (a, e, i, o, u), and they can be long or short. A macron (a line over the vowel, e.g., ā) indicates a long vowel, which changes the word's meaning. For instance, mama means 'light' or 'dry,' while mamā means 'clean.'
- The Glottal Stop ( ' ): This is crucial. It looks like an apostrophe and represents a brief pause, like the break in the middle of 'uh-oh.' In formal or written Samoan, it is represented by the koma liliu (inverted comma).
- The 'T' and 'N' Sounds: In the colloquial, everyday language, the letter 't' is often pronounced as a 'k' and the 'n' as an 'ng' sound. For this list, we will use the standard spelling but note the common colloquial pronunciation.
Essential Samoan-to-English Vocabulary List
Here is a categorized list of over 100 essential Samoan words and phrases. Where relevant, the common colloquial pronunciation is noted.
1. Greetings and Polite Phrases
| Samoan Word / Phrase | English Meaning | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Tālofa lava | Formal Hello / Greetings | The most respectful greeting. |
| Mālo | Hello (Less formal) / Good job | Literally means 'Congratulations' or 'Well done'. |
| Fa'afetai (tele lava) | Thank you (very much) | The glottal stop is essential. |
| Fa'amolemole | Please / Excuse me | Used to make a polite request. |
| Ioe | Yes | |
| Leai | No | |
| Tōfā (soifua) | Goodbye (Formal) | Tōfā means 'Sleep' or 'Farewell.' |
| Manuia le pō | Good night | |
| Fea mai 'oe? | How are you? | |
| Manuia fa'afetai | Well, thank you | A standard reply. |
2. People and Family
| Samoan Word / Phrase | English Meaning | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 'Aiga | Family / Extended family | The most important social unit. |
| Tamā | Father | |
| Tinā | Mother | |
| Uso | Sibling (used by same-sex sibling) | |
| Tuagane / Tuafafine | Brother / Sister (used by opposite-sex sibling) | |
| Tama | Child / Son | Tamaiti (plural) means 'children.' |
| Teine | Girl / Daughter | |
| Ali'i | Chief / Lord | High-ranking male. |
| Matai | Chief / Head of a family clan | The title-holder. |
| Faia'oga | Teacher | |
| Fale'ula | Wife | Formal term. |
| Sāmoa | Samoan Person / Samoa | The name of the country and people. |
3. The Fa'a Sāmoa (The Samoan Way)
| Samoan Word / Phrase | English Meaning | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Fa'a Sāmoa | The Samoan Way | The core cultural value system. |
| Fa'aaloalo | Respect / Honour | A foundational concept in social interaction. |
| Mālie | Funny / Entertaining | Also used to express enjoyment. |
| Fono | Council / Village council meeting | The village governing body. |
| Tātau | Traditional Samoan tattooing | The male Pe'a and female Malu. |
| Siapo | Bark cloth / Tapa cloth | Used for ceremonies and art. |
| Lāvalava | Wrap-around skirt | Worn by men and women. |
| Siva | Dance | Refers to traditional Samoan dancing. |
| Lotu | Church / Prayer | Christianity is central to Samoan life. |
| Sā | Sacred / Forbidden | Refers to the hour of evening prayer/curfew. |
| Soifua | Health / Life | Often used in farewells: Tōfā soifua. |
4. Food and Drink (Mea'ai ma Meainu)
| Samoan Word / Phrase | English Meaning | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 'A'ai | To eat | |
| 'Umu | Earth oven / Traditional cooking method | |
| Palusami | Taro leaves baked in coconut cream | A classic dish. |
| Oka | Raw fish salad marinated in coconut cream | Similar to Hawaiian poke or Peruvian ceviche. |
| Talo | Taro (root crop) | A starchy staple food. |
| 'Ulu | Breadfruit | |
| Popo / Niu | Coconut / Young coconut (drinking nut) | Niu is the drinking nut. |
| Vai | Water | |
| 'Ava (Kava) | Traditional ceremonial drink | Known elsewhere as Kava. |
| Koko Sāmoa | Samoan cocoa | Used to make a thick, bitter hot drink. |
| Sapasui | Chop Suey (Samoan style) | A local adaptation of Chinese noodles. |
5. Places and Directions
| Samoan Word / Phrase | English Meaning | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Fale | House / Building | The iconic open-sided Samoan house. |
| Nu'u | Village | |
| Motu | Island | |
| Sami | Sea / Ocean | |
| Ala | Road / Path | |
| Luga | Up / Above | |
| Lalo | Down / Under | |
| Fafo | Outside | |
| Totonu | Inside | |
| Tafatafa | Beside / Next to |
6. Everyday Words and Descriptors
| Samoan Word / Phrase | English Meaning | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Tele | Big / Many | Tele lava means 'very big' or 'very much.' |
| Laitiiti | Small | |
| Lelei | Good / Well | |
| Lē lelei | Bad / Not good | Lē is the negative marker 'not.' |
| Mālosi | Strong / Healthy | Used in compliments. |
| Taimi | Time | A loan word. |
| Toe | Again / Also | |
| Fia | To want / To be hungry (as in fia 'ai - want to eat) | |
| Fa'atau | To buy / Purchase | |
| Tautala | To speak / Talk | |
| Sini | Bell | Used to call a meeting or alert the village. |
The Power of Words and Cultural Connection
The journey from Samoan to English is more than just translation; it is an act of cultural exchange and respect. Each word, from the reverence embedded in Fa'aaloalo to the warmth of Tālofa lava, carries the weight of thousands of years of island life and tradition.
Embracing Gagana Sāmoa, even with a handful of phrases, allows you to transcend the role of a mere observer and become a participant in the unique Samoan Way. It demonstrates a genuine commitment to honouring the heritage and the people who welcome you with open arms.
As you incorporate these words into your vocabulary, you not only learn a new language but also gain a deeper appreciation for the Pacific ethos—a life centered on faith, family, and respect for culture.
Carry the spirit of Sāmoa with you. Whether you're learning the language or simply admire the strength of the Pacific islands, you can connect with the culture through art and authentic goods. Shop our full collection of Pacific-inspired items now.
