Language Tips
10 Essential Phrases in Samoan for Beginners
Starting your journey in learning Gagana Sāmoa? Here are 10 essential phrases to get you started in everyday conversations. When you’re ready for more, learn Samoan online with Asalei.
These phrases include quick pronunciation notes. Samoan uses the glottal stop and macrons to show sounds that change meaning.
Click on any of the blue Samoan
phrases to hear the pronunciation!
Greetings and Farewells
- Talofa — Hello
Common greeting; polite form is “Talofa lava”.
- ‘O ā mai ‘oe? — How are you?
A friendly opener. Reply with Manuia fa‘afetai (“I’m fine, thank you”).
- Manuia lava, fa‘afetai — Fine, thank you
You can shorten to “Manuia” (good/well).
- Tōfā soifua — Goodbye
Informal: Fā soifua or just Fā.
Getting to Know You
- O ai lou igoa? — What is your name?
A key phrase for any introduction.
- O lo‘u igoa o... — My name is...
Add your name at the end, e.g., “O lo‘u igoa o Ioane.”
Courtesies & Questions
- Fa‘amolemole — Please
- Fa‘afetai — Thank you
- Ua e malamalama? — Do you understand?
Answer: “Ua ou mālamalama” (I understand) or “Ou te lē mālamalama” (I don’t).
- ‘Ae ā ‘oe? — How about you?
Practice these phrases daily and you’ll build a foundation in Gagana Sāmoa quickly. Don’t be shy — native speakers will appreciate your effort!
Ready to Learn More?
Continue your journey with interactive lessons on the Asalei app — or learn Samoan online on our Samoan course page.