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Lesson 3 of 10
Yes, no and the essentials in Samoan
The small words that carry half of every conversation, and the ones that rescue it. Play the ten Samoan words against the clock, with a note on how locals really use each one after every answer. All ten are written out below.
All 10 Samoan phrases in this lesson
- IoeEE-o-ay
- Yes
- Leaile-AH-ee
- No
- Ua leleioo-a le-LAY-ee
- Okay
- Ou te le malamalamaoh te le ma-la-ma-LA-ma
- I don't understand
- E te iloa le gagana Igilisi?eh te ee-LO-ah le nga-NGA-na ee-gee-LEE-see
- Do you speak English?
- Toe fai maiTOH-eh fai MAI
- Can you repeat that?
- Fa'agesegese, fa'amolemolefah-ah-ngeh-seh-NGEH-seh, fah-ah-mo-le-MO-le
- Slowly, please
- O le a lenei?oh le ah le-NAY
- What is this?
- Ou te mana'omia...oh te ma-nah-oh-MEE-ah
- I need...
- E mafai ona e fesoasoani mai?eh ma-FAI OH-na eh feh-so-ah-so-AH-nee mai
- Can you help me?
Simple and clear. Often repeated or drawn out: "ioe ioe" for emphasis or strong affirmation.
Equally direct. Samoans soften refusals by context and tone; a simple "leai" stands alone but can also be wrapped in more explanation.
Literally "it is good". The affirmation for agreement or to signal everything is fine. Lelei alone works too.
Literally "do you know the English language?". English is widely spoken.
Literally "say it again to me".