It is a more formal and respectful greeting than just "talofa," and is commonly used when addressing someone for the first time or in a formal setting.
Here's a breakdown of the words:
* Talofa: This word itself means "hello" or "greetings" in Samoan.
* Lava: This word means "very" or "much" in Samoan.
So, "talofa lava" literally translates to "very hello" or "much greetings", signifying a strong and respectful welcome.