mālō
The Samoan word for "greetings" is mālō.
mālō is used as a formal way to say "hello".
Meaning: formal way of saying "hello" (intj)
Did you know?
- The greeting mālō is actually a celebration of success, originally meaning 'victorious' or 'well done'.
- In formal Samoan settings, the greeting is often accompanied by a slight bow or a lowering of the head to show respect to elders.
- In Samoa, mālō is often used as a shorthand for mālō le saili, which specifically acknowledges the effort someone made to travel or seek something out.
Examples in context
- Talofa lava ma ia manuia lau afiafi.Warm greetings and good evening to you.
- Mālō le soifua.Greetings, and good health.
- Mālō le aso.Greetings, have a good day.
- Mālō le afiafi.Greetings, good evening.
Example conversation
Tasi and Losa meet at a formal community event.
- TasiMālō, Losa.Greetings, Losa.
- LosaMālō, Tasi.Greetings, Tasi.
- TasiO oe lava e lelei?Are you doing well?
- LosaIe, ou te lelei.Yes, I am well.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries mālō, CC BY-SA 4.0.
