The Samoan Basketball Dictionary (IN-Progress)

Samoan Language Weeks rolled around, and we've asked ourselves a simple question: What does basketball sound like in Gagana Samoa?

As it turns out — there aren’t many (if any) official basketball terms in Samoan.

No word for lay-up. No word for rebound. Definitely no word for alley-oop.

So we thought: Why not start creating some ourselves?

What’s Samoan for Alley-Oop?

With the help of our wider community — and one very patient nana on speakerphone — we’ve taken a first crack at building a set of basketball terms in Gagana Samoa.

It’s not perfect. It’s not official. But it’s a start.

We believe that kids should see and hear themselves reflected in every part of their lives — including sport. And that starts with something as simple (and powerful) as language.

Why it matters?

Dresses are always welcome on the Basketball Court

Many of our tamaiti and some of our coaches come from proud Pacific backgrounds, and we know that their identity is not something that they leave at the door, but something they carry with them.

Language is one of the strongest ways to affirm culture. And even a made-up basketball dictionary can become a source of pride, laughter, and connection.

More than just translation, its representation.

Want to add to the list?

Here's our starting point. If you've got more add them into the comments and we'll keep on building!

🏀 Basic Game Terms

• Basketball – Pāsiketipolo

• Ball – Polo

• Game – Taʻaloga

• Team – 'Au

• Coach – Faiaʻoga

• Player – Tagata taʻalo

• Referee – Fa'amasino

• Court – Malae

• Score – Sikoa

• Timeout – Taimi malōlō

  
  

🎯 Positions

• Point Guard – Taʻitaʻi o le taʻaloga

• Shooting Guard – Le tagata fana

• Small Forward – Luma laititi

• Power Forward – Luma malosi

• Center – Nofoaga tutotonu / Tagata maualuga

🏃‍♂️ Movements & Actions

• Dribble – Fiti le polo

• Pass – Tuʻu le polo / Pasi

• Shoot – Tui / Tafana le polo

• Rebound – Toe puʻe le polo

• Defend – Puipui

• Block – Taofi

• Steal – Gaoi polo

• Run – Tamoe

• Jump – Sasaʻe / oso

🏆 Game Play & Rules

• Free Throw – Tafana saoloto

• Three-pointer – Sikoa tolu

• Foul – Sā

• Substitution – Suiga tagata taʻalo

• Overtime – Taimi faʻaopoopo

• Victory / Win – Manumalo

• Loss – Faaʻiloga / Faʻamataʻu

Fa’afetai tele lava 🌺 ma Manuia le Vaiaso Samoa