Tense-Action-Subject (TAS) These sentences begin with a tense marker, followed by the action, and end with the subject. Tense-Subject-Action (TSA with Pronouns Only) These sentences begin with a tense marker, followed by a pronoun, and then the action. Colloquial (Assumed Command or Informal) These phrases are direct, casual, or imply a command. Pronoun/Te-Action-Subject These sentences…
Understanding Multiple Subjects in Samoan Sentences When you’re learning Samoan, you might notice that some sentences have more than one subject. This can feel confusing at first, but don’t worry—it’s easier than it seems! In these cases, the “doer” of the action (the person or thing doing something) is marked with a little word: “e”….
The phrase E iai in Samoan is a way to talk about having something or something existing. It is commonly used when asking if someone has something or when talking about what someone owns. Let’s break this down into simple steps. Basic Structure: Tense-Action-Possessive Pronoun-Subject The simplest way to use E iai is to follow…
“Te” helps us talk about things that are happening now or things you usually do. Think of it as the Samoan way of saying, “I do” or “I am doing.” What Does “Te” Do? The word “te” works with pronouns (like “I” or “you”) to show who is doing the action. For example: When we…
Understanding “Fia” and “Mana’o”: The Two Ways to Say “To Want” Both fia and mana’o mean “to want,” but their usage depends on what you’re talking about. 1. Fia – Wanting to Do Something (Actions) The word fia is used to express a desire to perform an action. Think of it as saying, “I want…
Se’i e va’ai mai, i le tatou lalolagi / Take a look at our world Breaking It Down: Putting It All Together: Understanding the T-SALT Sentence Structure in Samoan: A Descriptive Approach Samoan, like many Polynesian languages, has a flexible yet organized structure for constructing sentences. Among these structures, the T-SALT format—Tense-Subject pronoun, Action, Location,…
Samoan Language Lesson: Reflexive Pronouns In Samoan, reflexive pronouns are used to indicate that the subject of the sentence is performing an action on themselves. These pronouns help clarify that the subject and the object of the action are the same person or group. Reflexive pronouns in English include words like “myself,” “yourself,” “ourselves,” etc….
*Attention: This is not a PasifikaPages product. To order go to Tawslav or Samoan Calendars on Instagram How to Use the 2025 Samoan Language Calendar for Learning The 2025 Samoan Language Calendar is an exciting tool to enhance your Samoan vocabulary and language skills. Each day of the calendar features a “word of the day,”…
In the Samoan language, subject phrases often contain a noun paired with an adjective to describe something. These subject phrases are commonly introduced with the O noun tense marker, which signals the phrase’s purpose of identifying or naming the subject. For example, a simple subject phrase might be, O le ta’avale fou, which translates to…
In Samoan, possessive pronouns are used to indicate ownership or association, and they differ based on whether the possession is singular or plural. Two commonly used singular possessive pronouns are “lau” and “lou.” When referring to plural ownership, the “l” is dropped from these words, turning “lau” into “au” and “lou” into “ou.” This distinction…
