alafapeti
The Samoan word for alphabet is alafapeti.
The Samoan script consists of 14 letters: A, E, I, O, U, F, G, L, M, N, P, S, T and V.
Meaning: an ordered set of letters used in a language (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
alafapeti is a loanword from the English 'alphabet'.
Did you know?
- Although alafapeti refers to the written letters, Samoan was an entirely oral culture with no written system until missionaries arrived in the 19th century.
- The letter 'G' in the Samoan alafapeti is actually pronounced like a 'ng' sound, similar to the end of the English word 'sing'.
- Samoan uses the alafapeti to represent a language where consonant clusters are forbidden, meaning every consonant must be followed by a vowel.
Examples in context
- O le alafapeti a le gagana Samoa.The Samoan language alphabet.
- E tatau ona e iloa le alafapeti.You must know the alphabet.
- E faigata le fausia o le alafapeti.Constructing the alphabet is difficult.
Example conversation
Sione and Sina are studying together at a desk.
- SioneE iloa e Sina le alafapeti?Does Sina know the alphabet?
- SinaIo, ua ou iloa le alafapeti.Yes, I know the alphabet.
- SioneO le mea lea e faigofie ai.That is why it is easy.
- SinaO le mea moni lea.That is the truth.
