aulelei
The Samoan word for cute is aulelei.
aulelei is an adjective used to describe something or someone that is attractive or pleasing in a youthful, dainty, quaint or fun-spirited way.
Meaning: attractive or pleasing in a youthful, dainty, quaint or fun-spirited way (adj)
Did you know?
- Unlike the English 'cute', which can sometimes feel patronizing if used for adults, calling an adult aulelei is always a high compliment to their appearance.
- The word lelei, the root for 'good' or 'fine', is embedded within aulelei, showing how the concept of beauty is linguistically tied to the concept of goodness in Samoan.
- The Samoan language uses various reduplications to intensify adjectives, so repeating parts of words related to aulelei can change the level of 'cuteness' being expressed.
Examples in context
- O se fafine aulelei lava ia.She is a very cute woman.
Example conversation
Sione and Losa are looking at a baby's clothes.
- SioneVa'ai i lea ofusi aulelei!Look at that cute outfit!
- LosaE sili ifo le voolo.The hat is even better.
- SioneE aulelei tele lava.It is very cute indeed.
- LosaE tatau ona tatou fa'atau.We should buy it.
