toʻalua
The Samoan word for wife is toʻalua.
The term toʻalua is used to refer to a wife.
Meaning: female partner in a marriage (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word toʻalua literally means 'two' or 'a pair'.
When do people say it?
The use of toʻalua to mean wife implies the concept of a pair or a couple.
Did you know?
- The word toʻalua can refer to either a husband or a wife because the term emphasizes the state of being a pair rather than the gender of the spouse.
- Samoan lacks a dedicated, single-word equivalent for 'wife' that doesn't either refer to the partner in a pair or use a descriptive phrase involving the word 'woman'.
- If you were to use the word toʻalua to refer to two objects instead of a spouse, you would be describing a set of two identical or matching items.
Examples in context
- O ia o loʻu toʻalua.She is my wife.
- Ua manuia loʻu toʻalua.My wife is well.
Example conversation
Sione is introducing Losa to a friend.
- LosaFaamavae, o loʻu toʻalua o Losa.Meet my wife, Losa.
- SioneTalofa Losa, e fiafia au o le feiloaʻi.Hello Losa, I am happy to meet you.
- LosaO Losa o le toʻalua sili.Losa is the best wife.
- SioneE mautinoa lena, Sione.That is for sure, Sione.
