An abbreviated for way one person to tell or ask another person to do something is “ta” and then the action they want to do.Ta is the dual Samoan pronoun that means “we or us 2”
You’ll hear ta in a lot of love songs because Ta is used when one person is speaking to another. No one is left out of the conversation.
The exclusionary version of Ta is Ma. But thats a different lesson.
TA Ō, we go
Ta a’ai, we eat
Ta sisiva, we dance
ta ta’a’alo, we play
Ta momoe, we sleep
TA TALANOA, we talk
TA Tatalo, we pray
Ta fa’aipoipo, we marry
In translation, to make it make sense from Samoan to English they’ll say “let us”.
Using the dual descriptive pronoun “ta” in Samoan adds a special touch to sentences when talking about “us two” or “we two.” When “ta” comes before a verb, it helps describe actions or things that involve two people or objects. Let’s explore how “ta” works with some simple examples.
1. Sharing an Activity:
When you and a friend do something together, you might use “ta” to describe the action both of you are doing.
Example:
- Ta matagi. (We two are walking.)
Here, “ta” tells us that both of you are walking together. It’s like saying, “Us two are walking.”
2. Talking About Feelings:
If you and someone else share the same feeling or emotion, “ta” helps express that together.
Example:
- Ta fiafia. (We two are happy.)
In this sentence, “ta” tells us that both of you are feeling happy. It’s like saying, “Us two are happy.”
3. Describing Appearance or State:
You can also use “ta” to describe how both of you look or the state you’re in together.
Example:
- Ta ma’u. (We two are tired.)
Here, “ta” indicates that both of you are feeling tired. It’s like saying, “Us two are tired.”
4. Doing Something Together:
When you and someone else are both doing the same action, “ta” helps express that shared activity.
Example:
- Ta ‘ava. (We two are swimming.)
In this sentence, “ta” tells us that both of you are swimming together. It’s like saying, “Us two are swimming.”
5. Sharing an Experience:
“Ta” can also be used to describe experiences or events that involve both of you.
Example:
- Ta va’a. (We two are canoeing.)
Here, “ta” indicates that both of you are canoeing together. It’s like saying, “Us two are canoeing.”
Conclusion:
In simple terms, using the dual descriptive pronoun “ta” in Samoan is like saying “us two” or “we two.” It helps describe actions, feelings, appearance, or shared experiences involving two people or objects. By using “ta” before a verb, you can express that both of you are doing something together. It’s a way to show that you and someone else are connected and experiencing something jointly in Samoan conversation.
