mālō lava
The English phrase 'well done' is translated into Samoan as mālō lava.
mālō lava is used as an exclamation to praise someone's achievement or hard work.
Meaning: exclamation of praise (intj)
What does it mean word for word?
The word mālō can mean 'well done' or 'congratulations', and lava is an intensifier meaning 'very' or 'much'.
Which one should you use?
The phrase mālō is a shorter, slightly less emphatic version of the phrase. Additionally, Lelei tele can be translated as 'very good' or 'well done'.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Upolu, the phrase Manuia lava is used to say 'well done' or 'congratulations'.
Did you know?
- The core word in mālō lava actually traces back to the concept of being 'victorious' in Proto-Polynesian.
- The phrase is deeply rooted in a culture of communal success, where 'victory' is often seen as a shared achievement rather than an individual one.
- In many contexts, mālō is not just a comment on a result, but an acknowledgment of the physical or mental struggle one endured to succeed.
Examples in context
- Mālō lava le galuega!Well done on the work!
- Mālō lava i le tautua.Well done on your service.
- Mālō lava, ua e ausia le faiva.Well done, you achieved the task.
Example conversation
Talisa praises Manu for finishing a difficult task.
- TalisaMālō lava, Manu!Well done, Manu!
- ManuFaafetai, Talisa.Thank you, Talisa.
- TalisaSusu maia le galuega.You worked hard.
- ManuUa mae'a nei.It is finished now.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries mālō, CC BY-SA 4.0.
