Language/Samoan/Grammar/How-to-Use-Be

Samoan Grammar - How to Use "Be"

Hi Samoan learners! 😊
In this lesson, we will focus on one of the most important verbs in any language - the verb "to be". In Samoan, this verb is expressed through a marker called "O le". It may seem simple, but there are some intricacies to its use that we will explore in depth in this lesson.

Overview of "O le"

Before we dive into the details of how "O le" is used, let's take a look at some general information about this marker:

• "O le" is used to express the verb "to be"
• "O le" is always followed by a noun or pronoun
• "O le" can be used to indicate identity, location, state, time, and possession

Now, let's take a closer look at each of these uses.

Identity

"O le" is used to identify someone or something. For example:

Samoan	Pronunciation	English
O le aiga nei	oh-leh ah-ee-gah nay	This is the family

Location

"O le" is used to indicate the location of someone or something. For example:

Samoan	Pronunciation	English
O le vasega ua maliliu i le pisinisi	oh-leh vah-seh-gah oo-ah mah-lee-lee-oo ee leh pee-see-nee-see	The department store is down the street

State

"O le" is used to indicate someone or something's state or condition. For example:

Samoan	Pronunciation	English
O le fatu ua mamoe i luga o le fa'ato'aga	oh-leh fah-too oo-ah mah-moh-eh ee loo-gah oh leh fah-ah-toh-ah-gah	The rock is sleeping on the beach

Time

"O le" is used to indicate time. For example:

Samoan	Pronunciation	English
O le taeao lea	oh-leh tah-eh-ah-oh leh-ah	It is morning

Possession

"O le" is used to indicate possession. For example:

Samoan	Pronunciation	English
O le tama ua mamoe i lo matua	oh-leh tah-ma oo-ah mah-moh-eh ee loh ma-too-ah	The boy is sleeping in his parent's bed

"O le" in Action: Dialogues

Let's look at some dialogues that use "O le" in different contexts.

Dialogue 1: Identity

• Person 1: O le tino lena? (oh-leh tee-noh leh-nah?) (Is this your body?)
• Person 2: Ioe, o le tino lena. (ee-oh-eh, oh-leh tee-noh leh-nah.) (Yes, this is my body.)

In this dialogue, "O le" is used to verify the identity of the body.

Dialogue 2: Location

• Person 1: O le kuka lea o le aiga nei? (oh-leh koo-kah leh-ah oh-leh ah-ee-gah nay?) (Where is the family cooking?)
• Person 2: O le kuka lea i le faleaitu. (oh-leh koo-kah leh-ah ee leh fah-leh-ah-ee-too.) (The family is cooking in the kitchen.)

In this dialogue, "O le" is used to indicate the location of the family's cooking activity.

Dialogue 3: State

• Person 1: O le siapo lena? (oh-leh see-ah-poh leh-nah?) (Is this your siapo?)
• Person 2: Ioe, o le siapo lena. Ua le fa'amoemoe le siapo. (ee-oh-eh, oh-leh see-ah-poh leh-nah. oo-ah leh fah-ah-moh-eh-moh-eh leh see-ah-poh.) (Yes, this is my siapo. The siapo isn't being used right now.)

In this dialogue, "O le" is used to verify the identity of the siapo, and to indicate its current state of not being used.

Dialogue 4: Time

• Person 1: O le ao lea? (oh-leh ah-oh leh-ah?) (Is it day?)
• Person 2: Leai, o le po lea. (leh-ah-ee, oh-leh poh leh-ah.) (No, it's night.)

In this dialogue, "O le" is used to determine the time of day.

Dialogue 5: Possession

• Person 1: O le gafa lena? (oh-leh gah-fah leh-nah?) (Is this your tool?)
• Person 2: Le ua, o le gafa a lau tina. (leh-oo-ah, oh-leh gah-fah ah la-oo tee-nah.) (No, this is your mother's tool.)

In this dialogue, "O le" is used to identify the owner of the tool.

Conclusion

"O le" is a powerful marker in Samoan that is used to express the verb "to be". Remember that "O le" is always followed by a noun or pronoun, and can be used to indicate identity, location, state, time, and possession. Use these rules and examples to help you navigate the Samoan language with ease.

To further improve your Samoan Grammar, you can also use the Polyglot Club website. Find native speakers and ask them any questions!

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