I always say (because it’s true): the best way to learn Samoan – and any new language – is to use it.
Read Samoan books for fun, send text messages in Samoan, listen to radio Samoa, and – probably most effectively – have Samoan language conversations.
That’s easy to say, right?
The nightmare of so many language learners is trying to communicate when you barely understand what’s going on, and when it takes you ages to form (desperately translating in your mind) simple sentences.
This lesson will give you some language tools to help you through those conversations.
Learn these phrases early on so you have them handy the next time you want a Samoan speaker to slow down or repeat what they said, or when you want to ask for the meaning of a word, or when you just want to express your confusion.
Use these sentences/phrases to help you learn even more Samoan from speakers of our language.
Let Them Know You’re a Beginner
It won’t take anyone long to tell if you’re not a pro (yet) at the Samoan language, but sometimes it’s nice to let them know that YOU know you’re still learning and that you would appreciate a little patience (please) in your conversation.
Fa’amolemole, e lē lelei la’u fa’asamoa.
Please, my Samoan (language ability) is not good.
Onosa’i mai, o lea e a’o la’u gagana Samoa.
Be patient (with me), I am practicing my Samoan language (skills).
Fa’amalīe atu, e fia a’o la’u fa’asamoa.
Apologies (to you), I want to learn/practice my Samoan language (skills).
When you’re asking for patience (onosa’i mai), as long as your tone is polite, the ‘please’ is implied, but you can always add a fa’amolemole (please) before or after that phrase.
Get Them to Teach You New Words
A conversation with a Samoan speaker is the perfect time to ask for language learning support.
You could start by pointing at an object and asking what it is (in Samoan).
O le ā le mea lea i le gagana Samoa?
What is this thing in the Samoan language?
O le ā le mea lale?
What is that thing?
You could also ask for the Samoan or English word for something. For example, let’s say you’re trying to learn the word for car.
O le ā le fa’asamoa o le car?
What is the Samoan (word) for car?
O le a le fa’apalagi o le ta’avale?
What is the English (word) for car
Fa’apalagi literally means the way of Caucasians, which is our casual reference to the English language.
If you want to be more formal (and more accurate) you can refer to English as fa’aperetania (the way of Brittain) or gagana Peretania (the language of (Great) Brittain).
Ask Them to Slow Down
When the conversation starts to move a little too quickly for your taliga (ears), here’s how you can ask them to slow down.
It’s always a good idea to check that the person you’re speaking with can understand you – not only for the sake of your conversation, but also to see how well you’re pronouncing Samoan words.
You can also let them know whether or not you get what they’re saying.
E te malamalama mai a’u?
Do you understand me?
Ioe, ou te malamalama.
Yes, I understand.
Leai, ou te lē malamalama.
No, I don’t understand.
The Samoan words for yes (ioe) and no (leai) are also useful here.
But then, after you’ve tried your bestest, if you’ve maxed out your patience or if the situation has become urgent, you can always ask for a mental health break.
E te iloa gagu? (slang)
Do you know English?
Fa’amolemole, e mafai ona e fa’apalagi / fa’aperetania?
Please, can you (speak) English?
Lucky for you, it’s around 95.6 percent likely (I made up that number, but I’m sure it’s true) that a Samoan speaker also speaks pretty good English.
