Uso! (or Uce!) Toko! Siana! All terms we use – from different islands in the Pacific – to refer to our brothers. Our buds. Our ride-or-die boyeeeez.
All good.
But if you want to use the Samoan word uso correctly, especially if you’re speaking with people (like your elders) who might actually get confused if words aren’t used right, then this handy guide from One Samoana will help:
So basically, your brother isn’t your uso unless you are also a male. And if you’re a girl, then your uso is actually your sister.
Got it?
It’s always good to know the rules before you break them with style. A ea, Uce?

- On life and the Pacific Islander entrepreneur - 13/04/2019
- In case you need a makeup artist for Pacific Island skin - 06/04/2019
- Who are your Pacific heroes? - 02/01/2019
- Koko. Koko Samoa. - 30/06/2018
- Are you ready to die? - 20/06/2018
- The making of a Polynesian art prodigy - 13/06/2018
- Alaisa fa’apopo – Samoan coconut rice - 12/04/2018
- What does Manaui mean? - 06/04/2018
- Why Samoan panipopo is food for the soul - 10/01/2018
- 3 times in history that Samoa fought for freedom - 19/10/2017