uliuli
The Samoan word for the color black is uliuli.
uliuli is an adjective used to describe something that is black, specifically referring to the color that absorbs all light.
Meaning: absorbing all light (adj)
Did you know?
- In traditional Samoan tattooing, the 'black' ink is historically derived from the soot of burnt candlenuts.
- In Samoan culture, the word uliuli can describe not just a color but a deep, oppressive darkness or a state of gloom.
- The repetition of the root uli to form uliuli is a linguistic feature called reduplication, used here to intensify the depth of the color.
Examples in context
- E uliuli tele lenei tusi.This book is very black.
- O le uliuli le lanu o le tusi.Black is the color of the book.
Example conversation
Sina and Sione are looking for a specific notebook.
- SinaSione, o fea le tusi uliuli?Sione, where is the black book?
- SioneO lo'o i luga o le laetapu.It is on top of the table.
- SinaO le tusi uliuli lenei?Is this the black book?
- SioneIoe, o ia lava lea.Yes, that is the one.
