atua
/a.tu.a/
The Samoan word for God is atua.
The term atua refers to a deity. It is used to describe both the monotheistic God in Christianity and the various deities found in traditional Polynesian polytheism.
Meaning: deity (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
The word has 3 syllables and is pronounced /a.tu.a/.
Did you know?
- The word atua is a cognate with the Malay word tuhan, meaning 'god'. This reveals a prehistoric linguistic link between the islands of the Pacific and the shores of Southeast Asia.
- In traditional Samoan belief, the boundaries between atua and ancestors were often fluid. Some ancestral spirits were elevated to the status of atua over time through veneration.
- Samoan culture historically viewed the atua as being deeply integrated into the natural landscape. Specific trees, rocks or reefs were not just symbols of a god but were seen as the atua themselves.
Examples in context
- Le Atua e lelei.God is good.
- E tatalo i le Atua i aso uma.Pray to God every day.
- O le Atua o lo tatou fa'avae.God is our foundation.
Example conversation
Tau and Mere are discussing their beliefs.
- TauE te talitonu i le atua, Mere?Do you believe in god, Mere?
- MereIoe, ou te talitonu.Yes, I believe.
- TauOu te talitonu foi.I believe too.
- MereE lelei lena mea, Tau.That is a good thing, Tau.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “God” translations and entries atua, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries atua, CC BY-SA 4.0.
