lenei
In Samoan, 'this' is expressed as lenei.
lenei is used as a pronoun to indicate a specific thing, item.
Meaning: the thing, item, etc. being indicated (pron)
Did you know?
- When pointing to 'this' item, a Samoan speaker may use a subtle chin gesture or a glance rather than pointing with a finger, which can be seen as too aggressive in traditional settings.
- Samoan is a VSO (Verb-Subject-Object) language, meaning lenei will typically appear after the verb and subject rather than at the start of a sentence.
- While lenei means 'this' for something close to the speaker, if you want to point to something close to the person you are talking to, you must switch to lena.
Examples in context
- Le nei faleThis house
- Le nei meaThis thing
- E manaia lenei.This is nice.
- O lenei le tusi.This is the book.
- E manaia lenei mea.This thing is nice.
Example conversation
Sina and Sione are looking at a piece of fruit.
- SinaSione, e to’aitiiti lenei fua.Sione, this fruit is small.
- SioneAe e teete’e tele lenei.But this one is very sweet.
- SinaE maua lenei i fea?Where is this found?
- SioneMai le fa'asao a le tautai.From the fisherman's store.
