Basic Sāmoan Greetings And Usage Of Mālō Flashcards
(15 cards)
Taeao manuia
Good morning
(only for morning, never another time of day)
Lagi e mamā
Clear skies
(meaning you’re healthy / you’re okay / all is good)
Applicable any time, but most frequently used in the morning to describe a new day.
Lagi e matafi.
Clear skies. (formal / respectful)
(meaning you’re healthy / you’re okay / all is good)
Applicable any time, but most frequently used in the morning to describe a new day.
Mālō le soifua.
Reply: Mālō fo’i le soifua.
Thank you. (Literally: A prayer for life.)
Reply: Thank god he brought us here together.
(To not reply is considered very rude.)
Soifua manuaia le taeao
Greetings (in the morning)
Soifua manuaia le aoauli
Greetings (lunchtime / noon)
Soifua manuaia le afiafi
Greetings (afternoon, 3-6pm)
Soifua manuaia le po
Greetings *(evening after sunset / dark / night)
Soifua laulelei
Celebration of good life.
(proper way to start an email, or formal way to say hello.)
Mālō le ta’alo.
Reply: Mālō fo’i le tapua’i.
Commending someone for playing a sport well.
Reply: Thank you for your well wishes / prayers.
Mālō le galue.
Reply: Mālō fo’i le tapua’i.
Commending someone for doing the work. (mechanic, yardsman, builder, etc.)
Reply: Thank you for your well wishes / prayers.
Mālō le pese.
Reply: Mālō fo’i le tapua’i.
Commending someone for singing.
Reply: Thank you for your well wishes / prayers.
Mālō le siva.
Reply: Mālō fo’i le tapua’i.
Commending someone for dancing.
Reply: Thank you for your well wishes / prayers.
Mālō le kuka.
Reply: Mālō fo’i le tapua’i.
Commending someone for cooking.
Reply: Thank you for your well wishes / prayers.
Mālō
An all encompassing greeting, an informal way to say hello at all times of the day.
Can also mean congratulations, or a general compliment.
