Common Samoan proverbs and figurative idioms with their meanings explained, for an upper-level learner. Front: the Samoan idiom. Back: English meaning and usage note.
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- E lele le toloa ae maʻau i le vai
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The duck flies away but always returns to the water. A well-known proverb meaning that no matter how far you roam, you always return to your roots.- O le ala i le pule o le tautua
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The path to authority is through service. A famous Samoan proverb teaching that true leadership is earned by serving others first.- E pala ma'a, ae le pala upu
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Stones decay, but words do not. A proverb meaning that a promise or a spoken word endures forever.- O le tele o sulu e maua ai figota
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With many torches, more shellfish are caught. A proverb praising teamwork and cooperation.- Ia matuā tapenapena
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Always be prepared. The official motto of American Samoa.- Faʻavae i le Atua Samoa
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Samoa is founded on God. The national motto of independent Samoa.- Loto tele
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A big heart, i.e. brave, courageous- Loto vaivai
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A weak heart, i.e. faint-hearted, cowardly- Mata i luga
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Eyes upward, i.e. proud, arrogant- Ua motu le faʻamoemoe
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Hope has been severed, i.e. to lose all hope- Alofa e leai se tuaoi
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Love has no boundary, a poetic saying about the limitless nature of love- Tautua faʻamaoni
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Faithful service, an idiom honoring a core Samoan cultural value- Ua tō le lā
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The sun has set, i.e. an era has ended, or someone has passed away- Faʻafofoga i le loto
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Listen to your heart, i.e. follow your intuition- E lē maua se mea e aunoa ma se galuega
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Nothing is gained without work, a saying similar to "no pain, no gain"
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