Language/Samoan/Vocabulary/Eating-Out
Introduction
In this lesson, we will learn essential Samoan phrases for dining out. From ordering food to asking for the bill and discussing dietary restrictions, we will cover all the necessary vocabulary for a great dining experience in Samoa.
Food culture is an essential part of Samoan tradition and custom, where meal times signify social gatherings, events, and celebrations. As a Samoan language teacher who has been teaching Samoan for 20 years, I will also incorporate cultural information and interesting facts in this lesson to make it more engaging and insightful.
Ordering Food
When you arrive at a restaurant or cafe in Samoa, the first thing you will need to do is order your food. Here are some common Samoan phrases you can use to order food at a restaurant or cafe:
| Samoan | Pronunciation | English Translation |
|---|---|---|
| O alofa ia oe, afai ou te fa'amolemole, saunoaga mai le faasalaga o tina ma tama'ita'i o leigoa. | oh ah-loh-fah ee-ah oh-eh, ah-fye oh-oo teh fah-ah-moh-leh-moh-leh, sah-oo-noh-ah-ngah mah-ee leh fah-ah-sah-lah-ngah oh tee-nah mah tah-ma-ee-tah-ee oh leh-ee-ngo-ah | Excuse me, please, can you give me the menu? |
| O le a ou filifili lea o le... | oh leh ah oh-oo fee-lee-fee-lee leh-ah oh leh | I will choose the... |
| E iai meaai e aunoa ma ou failafo e fausia ai ia te oe lava. | eh ee-ah-ee meh-ah-ah-ngah-ee eh ah-oo-noh-ah mah oh-fe-lah-foh eh fah-oo-see-ah ah-ee-ah teh oh-eh lah-vah | Are there any meals that you can make for me? |
| Fa'afetai. Ou te fai pea e te faaaoga pea ma tulaga e faigofie. | fah-ah-feh-tah-ee. oh-oo teh fye peh-ah eh teh fah-ah-ah-aw-ngah peh-ah mah too-lah-ngah eh fah-ee-ngoh-fee-eh | Thank you. I will try something that is easy to eat. |
| Ao ou te fai se pese. | ah-oh oh-oo teh fah-ah-ee seh peh-seh | I will make a mistake. |
| Faamolemole, ou te fai auala e te faaopoopo pea ma le meaalofa. | fah-ah-moh-leh-moh-leh, oh-oo teh fye ah-oo-ah-lah eh teh fah-ah-aw-poh-poh fye-ah mah-leh meh-ah-ah-loh-fah | Please, can you explain the ingredients and preparation? |
Asking for the Bill
When you finish eating, you will need to ask for the bill. Here are some common Samoan phrases to ask for the bill:
| Samoan | Pronunciation | English Translation |
|---|---|---|
| O le a ou taunuuina? | oh leh ah oh-oo tah-oo-noo-oo-ee-nah | Can I get the bill? |
| O le a ou te fai pea a le ma'ua e faatino? | oh leh ah oh-oo teh fah-ah-ee peh-ah ah leh mah-oo-ah eh fah-ah-tee-noh | Can we please pay? |
| Faamolemole, ou te fai auala e te faamafanafana ai ma le faletua o le faletele ma le loia o le faletua o le faalelei. | fah-ah-moh-leh-moh-leh, oh-oo teh fye ah-oo-ah-lah eh teh fah-ah-mah-fah-nah-fah-nah ah-ee ma lah-lay-too-ah oh leh fah-leh-teh-leh mah teh loh-ee-ah oh leh fah-leh-too-ah oh leh fah-ah-leh-leh-ee | Excuse me, can you call the manager or owner of the restaurant, please? |
Dietary Restrictions
If you have dietary restrictions or allergies, it's important to communicate them clearly to the server or chef. Here are some common Samoan phrases you can use to discuss your dietary restrictions:
| Samoan | Pronunciation | English Translation |
|---|---|---|
| O lou faavavau, e te manao e faaopopo ai ia te a'u faaliliuga faigofie. | oh loh-oo fah-ah-vah-vah-oo, eh teh mah-nah-oh eh fah-ah-oh-poh-poh ah-ee-ah teh ah-oo fah-ah-lee-lee-oo-ngah fye-ah-goh-fee-eh | Can you accommodate my special request? |
| O le a le toe le meaai? | oh leh ah leh toh-eh leh meh-ah-ah-ee | Is this food safe for me to eat? |
| O lou susuga, afai ou te mana'o fa'aoga ona ou te saoloto, ou te fa'avaeina pea a'u luase avanoa fa'apena i le fa'aogaina o lea meaai. | oh loh-oo soo-soo-ngah, ah-fye oh-oo teh mah-nah-oh fah-ah-oh-ngah oh-nah oh-oo teh sah-oh-loh-toh, oh-oo teh fah-ah-vah-eh-ee-nah peh-ah ah-oo loo-wah-seh ah-vah-noh-ah fah-ah-ah-peh-nah ee leh fah-ah-oh-gah-ee-nah oh leh ah meh-ah-ah-ee | Excuse me, can you make adjustments for my dietary needs? |
Conclusion
Congratulations! You have learned essential Samoan phrases for dining out. Do you feel confident to order food, ask for the bill, and discuss your dietary restrictions? Remember to respect Samoan food culture and traditions as you enjoy the delicious cuisine.
As we have seen in this lesson, learning Samoan is not only about mastering the language but also understanding the culture behind the language. Keep up the good work!