alu ese
To go away in Samoan is to say alu ese.
The phrase is used to express the act of departing or leaving a place.
Meaning: to depart or leave a place (verb)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of alu meaning 'go' and ese meaning 'away' or 'else'.
Which one should you use?
While alu ese is the standard form, you can use alu ese ese to emphasize the act of leaving or to suggest leaving for good by doubling the word ese. Additionally, alu ki tua serves as an informal way to express the same sentiment.
How does it change in a sentence?
To indicate that someone has already departed, add the aspect marker ua before the phrase to get ua alu ese (has gone away). Adding the particle e before the phrase, resulting in e alu ese, indicates a habitual action or a future intention to depart (goes away / will go away).
Did you know?
- In Samoan culture, telling someone to alu ese can be perceived as an extremely harsh or aggressive command depending on the tone and social hierarchy.
- The word alu is a cognate found across many Pacific languages, reflecting the ancient migration patterns of the Proto-Polynesian people.
- The word ese in alu ese is the same word used to describe things that are 'different' or 'other'.
Example conversation
Tasi is asking Talisa to leave the room.
- TasiTalisa, faamolemole alu ese.Talisa, please go away.
- TalisaAisea, o le a fea e alu i ai?Tasi, where should I go?
- TasiAlu ese i fafo.Go away outside.
- TalisaOk, ou te alu nei.Ok, I am going now.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries alu, CC BY-SA 4.0.
