Manuia le Tausaga Fou
Manuia le Tausaga Fou is the Samoan way to say Happy New Year.
This phrase is used as a greeting or a wish for someone's well-being during the new year.
Meaning: Happy New Year (phrase)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase breaks down into manuia (happy/blessed), le (the), tausaga (year) and fou (new).
Is it said differently in some regions?
This version is the Standard Samoan form.
How does it change in a sentence?
In Samoan, the adjective fou (new) follows the noun tausaga (year) that it modifies.
Did you know?
- Samoan uses a different set of pronouns and grammar depending on whether you are speaking to a chief or a peer, which can change how you deliver a greeting like Manuia le Tausaga Fou.
- The word fou for 'new' descends from the Proto-Austronesian root *baqəRuh, linking the Samoan New Year greeting to ancient languages spoken across Southeast Asia and the Pacific.
- In Samoa, greetings like Manuia le Tausaga Fou are often accompanied by a gentle kiss on the cheek or a hug, reflecting the cultural importance of fa'aaloalo or respect.
Examples in context
- Manuia le Tausaga Fou ia te oe.Happy New Year to you.
- Manuia le Tausaga Fou i aiga uma.Happy New Year to all families.
- E Manuia le Tausaga Fou!Have a Happy New Year!
Example conversation
Two friends meet at a celebration on January 1st.
- ManuManuia le Tausaga Fou, Mere!Happy New Year, Mere!
- MereFa'afetai, Manu. Manuia le Tausaga Fou foi ia te oe.Thank you, Manu. Happy New Year to you too.
- ManuO le tausaga fou lelei lenei.This is a good new year.
- MereIoe, e fa'amoemoe e manuia le tausaga.Yes, I hope the year is blessed.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries fou, CC BY-SA 4.0.
