faamalie atu i lou faanoanoa
The English phrase "sorry for your loss" is translated into Samoan as faamalie atu i lou faanoanoa.
This phrase is used as a sympathetic expression to offer condolences to someone whose loved one has died. It is the standard way to express sympathy in formal or semi-formal settings, such as during a funeral or when visiting a grieving family.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase faamalie atu i lou faanoanoa can be broken down as follows: faamalie means to comfort or apologize, atu is a directional particle, lou means "your" and faanoanoa means "sadness" or "grief".
How does it change in a sentence?
If you are addressing more than one person, such as a whole family, you should change the singular possessive pronoun lou to the plural lo outou, resulting in faamalie atu i lo outou faanoanoa.
Did you know?
- Depending on the social rank of the bereaved, the phrasing of condolences may shift to use 'chiefly language' to avoid using common words like lou.
- In Samoan culture, these words of sympathy are often accompanied by the giving of ie toga, which are finely woven mats of immense cultural and monetary value.
- During formal mourning processes in Samoa, such as a 'fa'alavelave', the way you express sympathy is often part of a much larger, highly structured exchange of gifts and respect.
Example conversation
Tasi visits Losa to offer condolences after a death in her family.
- TasiTalo fa'atasi ma le aiga, faamalie atu i lou faanoanoa.Greetings to the family, sorry for your loss.
- LosaFaafetai Tasi, ou te faafetai mo lou auai.Thank you Tasi, I appreciate your presence.
- TasiO lo'o ou tatalo mo oe.I am praying for you.
- LosaFaafetai tele lava.Thank you very much.
