mālō, 'o ā mai 'oe?
The English phrase "hi, how are you?" is translated into Samoan as mālō, 'o ā mai 'oe?
This phrase is a common greeting used to say hello and to inquire about someone's well-being.
Which one should you use?
You should choose your form based on how many people you are addressing: use mālō, 'o ā mai 'oe? when speaking to one person and mālō, 'o ā mai 'outou? when speaking to two or more people.
How does it change in a sentence?
To change the greeting to address a group of people, replace 'oe with 'outou.
When do people say it?
When someone greets you with this phrase, a common response is Manuia lava, which means "Very good" or "Very blessed".
Did you know?
- The greeting mālō is actually a congratulatory shout, originally meaning 'victorious' or 'well done'.
- The greeting mālō can be used on its own as a way to express gratitude or to congratulate someone on a job well done.
- When using mālō, 'o ā mai 'oe?, you are technically asking how someone is 'coming from' a place or state, rather than just asking how they 'are'.
Examples in context
- Mālō, 'o ā mai 'oe?Hi, how are you?
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries mālō, CC BY-SA 4.0.
