lelei

Rotuman

Etymology

Borrowed from Samoan and Tongan lelei (“good”), from Proto-Polynesian *lelei.

Adjective

lelei

1. good

References

• Churchward, C.M. (1940), “lelei”, in Rotuman Grammar and Dictionary‎^[1], Sydney, Australia: Methodist Church of Australasia, →ISBN, page 250

Samoan

Etymology

From Proto-Polynesian *lelei. Cognates include Tokelauan lelei and Tuvaluan lelei.

Adjective

lelei

1. good

Derived terms

• agalelei

Descendants

• → Rotuman: lelei (along with Tongan lelei)

References

• Milner, G.B. (1993), Samoan Dictionary, Auckland: Polynesian Press, →ISBN, page 105

Tokelauan

Etymology

From Proto-Polynesian *lelei. Cognates include Tuvaluan lelei and Samoan lelei.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): [le.ˈle.i]
• Hyphenation: le‧le‧i

Noun

lelei

1. well-being
2. goodness, wellness

Verb

lelei

1. (stative) to be good
2. (stative) to be healthy

References

• R. Simona, editor (1986), Tokelau Dictionary‎^[2], Auckland: Office of Tokelau Affairs, page 183

Tongan

Etymology

From Proto-Polynesian *lelei. Cognates include Tuvaluan lelei and Samoan lelei.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /le.le.i/

Adjective

lelei

1. good

Descendants

• → Rotuman: lelei (along with Samoan lelei)

Tuvaluan

Etymology

From Proto-Polynesian *lelei. Cognates include Samoan lelei, Tokelauan lelei and Tongan lelei.

Alternative forms

• llei (southern dialects)

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /le.ˈle.i/

Adjective

lelei

1. good

Usage notes

Used mainly in northern dialects; the southern form is llei.