fa'amolemole
The Samoan word for please is fa'amolemole.
Fa'amolemole is an interjection used to make a polite request. It can also function as an adverb to modify a request.
Meaning: interjection to make a polite request (intj)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is derived from the root molemole, which relates to being humble or lowly.
Did you know?
- Samoan has different levels of politeness called 'chiefly language' where the vocabulary changes entirely, making fa'amolemole unsuitable for certain royal contexts.
- While fa'amolemole is the standard word for 'please', in traditional Samoan culture, the most polite requests are often made through a third party rather than directly to the person.
- In Samoan, asking for something 'smoothly' or 'without friction' is how you express the concept of being polite.
Examples in context
- Fa'amolemole, pasi mai le paipaPlease, pass me the pipe
- Fa'amolemole, tu'u mai le vai.Please, give me the water.
Example conversation
Tau is asking Sina for a pen.
- TauSina, fa'amolemole aumai le peni.Sina, please bring the pen.
- SinaO le peni lenei?Is it this pen?
- TauIoe, o le peni lenā.Yes, that is the pen.
- SinaO iise le peni.Here is the pen.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “please” translations and entries fa'amolemole, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
