manuia lou aso fanau uso
The phrase for "happy birthday brother" in Samoan is manuia lou aso fanau uso.
This phrase is used as a greeting to wish a male sibling a happy birthday.
What does it mean word for word?
The word manuia means blessed, happy or prosperous.
Did you know?
- The word uso specifically refers to a brother, but it is also used more broadly to describe a very close friend or a 'brother in arms' regardless of blood relation.
- The word aso for 'day' shares an ancient root with the Tagalog word araw, which refers to the 'sun'.
- When saying manuia lou aso fanau uso, it is common to accompany the greeting with a gentle touch or a hug, as physical affection is central to familial bonds in Samoa.
Examples in context
- Manuia lou aso fanau uso.Happy birthday brother.
- Sione, manuia lou aso fanau uso!Sione, happy birthday brother!
- E manuia lou aso fanau uso.Happy birthday to you, brother.
Example conversation
Sina is greeting her brother Sione on his birthday.
- SioneManuia lou aso fanau uso!Happy birthday brother!
- SinaFaafetai tele lava, Sina.Thank you very much, Sina.
- SioneO le a tatou fai i le aso?What are we doing today?
- SinaTatou te alu i le tautua.We will go to the feast.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries aso, CC BY-SA 4.0.
