talofa ma afio mai
The English phrase "hello and welcome" is translated into Samoan as talofa ma afio mai.
talofa ma afio mai is a greeting used to welcome someone to a place or an event. It is commonly used in formal settings, such as speeches, ceremonies or when welcoming guests to a gathering or a home.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of talofa (hello), ma (and) and afio mai (come/arrive/be present).
Did you know?
- The greeting talofa is derived from alofa, which means 'love'. To say hello in Samoan is literally to express a feeling of love or compassion toward the other person.
- In formal welcoming ceremonies, talofa ma afio mai is often accompanied by a 'ava' ceremony involving the preparation and drinking of a root paste.
- While talofa is the standard greeting, you will rarely hear it used among close family members in a casual setting, where more intimate or specific kinship terms are preferred.
Examples in context
- Talofa ma afio mai i lenei faalavelave.Hello and welcome to this event.
- Talofa ma afio mai i lo matou fale.Hello and welcome to our home.
Example conversation
Mere greets Tau as he arrives at her family's house.
- MereTalofa ma afio mai, Tau!Hello and welcome, Tau!
- TauFaafetai, Mere.Thank you, Mere.
- MereSau i totonu.Come inside.
- TauFaafetai lava.Thank you very much.
