Manuia le Kerisimasi
The Samoan way to say Merry Christmas is Manuia le Kerisimasi.
This phrase is used to express good wishes during the Christmas season.
Meaning: good wishes at Christmas time (phrase)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of manuia (blessed, good or happy), le (the) and Kerisimasi (Christmas).
How does it change in a sentence?
In this context, the word manuia functions as an adjective or an interjection meaning 'blessed' or 'good'.
Did you know?
- In many Samoan Christian traditions, the celebration of Christmas is deeply tied to the concept of 'fa'aaloalo', or respect, which dictates how one delivers well-wishes to elders during the holiday season.
- Samoan is a language with a strong oral tradition, so Manuia le Kerisimasi is frequently sung as part of elaborate choral harmonies in churches rather than just spoken.
- The word Kerisimasi is a transliteration of the English word 'Christmas', adapted to fit the phonology of the Samoan language.
Examples in context
- Manuia le Kerisimasi i le aiga. Soifua ma ia manuia lava le tausaga fou.Merry Christmas to you and your family. Have a blessed New Year.
- Manuia le Kerisimasi ia te oe.Merry Christmas to you.
- Manuia le Kerisimasi uma lava!Merry Christmas to everyone!
Example conversation
Two friends meet on the street during the holiday season.
- ManuTalofa Talisa! Manuia le Kerisimasi!Hello Talisa! Merry Christmas!
- TalisaFaafetai Manu, manuia le Kerisimasi fo'i!Thank you Manu, Merry Christmas to you too!
- ManuO oe o lo'o sauni mo le aufa'i?Are you preparing for the feast?
- TalisaIoe, o lo'o sauni le āiga.Yes, the family is preparing.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “merry Christmas” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
