sau iinei
The English phrase "come here" is translated into Samoan as sau iinei.
sau iinei is used as a command to tell someone to move toward your current location.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the verb sau (come) and the adverb iinei (here).
How does it change in a sentence?
The form sau iinei is the imperative or command form used to tell someone to approach the speaker.
Did you know?
- When calling someone to 'come here' in a formal setting, a speaker might use an entirely different set of vocabulary called gagana fa'aaloalo to show high respect.
- While sau iinei is the standard way to say 'come here', the word sau is also used in Samoan to describe the 'coming' of a season or a tide.
- The word sau is shared with other Polynesian languages, such as Hawaiian and Maori, reflecting a common ancestral root for the concept of 'coming' or 'arriving'.
Examples in context
- Sau iinei, tama!Come here, boy!
- Sau iinei.Come here.
- Sione, sau iinei.Sione, come here.
- E tatau ona e sau iinei.You must come here.
Example conversation
Sina is calling Sione to show him something in the garden.
- SinaSione, sau iinei!Sione, come here!
- SioneO le a le mea lea, Sina?What is it, Sina?
- SinaVaai i lenei mea.Look at this thing.
- SioneO se mea lelei tele!That is a very good thing!
