laumei
The Samoan word for turtle is laumei.
laumei is a noun used to refer to any land or marine reptile that possesses a shell.
Meaning: land or marine reptile with a shell (noun)
Did you know?
- Samoan oral traditions sometimes depict the laumei as a shapeshifter capable of taking human form to test the hospitality of villagers.
- A person might use the concept of the 'laumei' to describe a person who is protected or 'armoured' by their social status or family connections.
- The word laumei has linguistic relatives in other Austronesian languages, reflecting the ancient maritime history of the Pacific.
Examples in context
- E tele ni laumei i le sami.There are many turtles in the ocean.
- O se laumei tele lenei.This is a large turtle.
- Na matou vaai i se laumei.We saw a turtle.
Example conversation
Talisa and Tasi are walking along the beach.
- TalisaTasi, vaai i le laumei lea!Tasi, look at the turtle!
- TasiO fea? E le ou vaai.Where? I don't see it.
- TalisaO lo o i lalo i le vai.It is down in the water.
- TasiAe lau lau, e tele ma lona telenui!Oh wow, it is so big!
