Samoa Salutations

Oral/Verbal

These terms can be used for speeches and conversations and any other forms of oral/verbal communications.

   Formal  Informal
 Greetings - Hello Talofa lava  Talofa
 Welcome

Afio mai a
Maliu mai a
Susu mai a
Mapu mai a
Pouliuligia mai a (if someone
important arrives after nightfall)
Sautia mai a (if someone
important arrives late at night or
early in morning)
Sosopo mai (when welcoming
an orator/tulafale)

 Malo
Ua e sau
 Farewell – Good bye Fa’a-soifua ia
Faa-tofa ia
Tofa loa
 Please  Faamolemole  Faamolemole
 Thank you Faafetai tele lava
Malo Faafetai
 Faafetai

 

Written

These terms can be used for letters and any other forms of written communications.

   Formal  Informal
 Greetings - Hello Talofa lava
Faa-talofa atu
Talofa
 Welcome Afio mai
Tala mai a'ao
Sosopo mai
Omai
Sau
 Farewell – Good bye Tofa ia soifua
Soifua ma ia manuia
Tofa
 Please Tofa malie
Finagalo malie
Faamolemole
 Thank you Faafetai tele lava
Faafetai tele ma ia manuia (for
ending letter)
Faafetai