moe
The English verb sleep is translated into Samoan as moe.
The word moe means to rest in a state of reduced consciousness. It can also be used to mean to lie down or to rest.
Meaning: to rest in state of reduced consciousness (verb)
Did you know?
- In Samoan, moe is used both for 'sleep' and for 'sex'. Depending on the context, saying someone is 'sleeping' can be a common euphemism for sexual intimacy.
- In many Samoan dialects, the way you express 'sleeping' changes significantly depending on whether you are speaking about a respected chief or a commoner.
- In traditional Samoan contexts, the concept of 'sleeping' can be a metaphor for the transition between life and the ancestral realm.
Examples in context
- Moemoe lelei i le po.Sleep well tonight.
Example conversation
Tasi and Sina are talking before bed.
- TasiSina, e moe lo'u tino.Sina, my body needs to sleep.
- SinaE te moe i le aso.You sleep during the day.
- TasiOu te moe i le po nei.I am sleeping tonight.
- SinaLelei, ia moe lelei Tasi.Good, sleep well Tasi.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “sleep” translations and entries moe, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
