O ā mai oe?
O ā mai oe? is the Samoan way to say how are you?
This phrase is a common greeting used to ask someone about their well-being.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to 'How [is it] from you?'
How does it change in a sentence?
To ask 'how are you?' to a group of people, replace the singular pronoun oe with the plural outou to form O ā mai outou?
Did you know?
- The word mai in O ā mai oe? indicates direction toward the speaker. This reflects a linguistic worldview where greetings are seen as drawing information from the other person toward oneself.
- In very formal settings, such as a traditional 'ava' ceremony, a simple 'how are you' is replaced by lengthy, poetic formulas that acknowledge the ancestry and titles of the guests.
- While O ā mai oe? asks how someone is, the most common response is Lelei, meaning 'good'. It is culturally common to respond positively even if one is struggling, to maintain social harmony.
Examples in context
- O ā mai oe?How are you?
Example conversation
Mere and Tasi meet at the market.
- MereTalofa Tasi, o ā mai oe?Hello Tasi, how are you?
- TasiManuia lava, faafetai.I am very well, thank you.
- MereO le mea lea e lelei.That is good.
- TasiMa oe, o ā mai oe?And you, how are you?
