Learn to Count in Samoan

The word for numbers in Samoan is numera, which is borrowed directly from English.  ​

First Things First: Numbers 1–10 in Samoan

Here are the Samoan numbers from one to ten:

​1. tasi​

2. lua
3. tolu
4. fa

5. lima

6. ono

7. fitu

8. valu

9. iva

10. sefulu

 

Once you know 1-10, you're halfway there! Samoan numbers are built like legos - just stack them together!​

To say 11 in Samoan, you simply say "sefulu tasi" — literally ten and one. For 12, it’s "sefulu lua" (ten and two).

Now, when you get to 20, the pattern flips: you say "lua sefulu", meaning two tens.

 

Can you guess what 21 would be? Yep! It’s "lua sefulu tasi" — two tens and one.

✨ Here's a fun tip: In casual conversation or when counting quickly, we often shorten the number. So instead of saying "lua sefulu" for 20, you can say "luafulu" — a mashup that rolls off the tongue. That means 21 becomes "luatasi" — simple and smooth!​