Hawaiian Language: Learning Basic Words and Phrases Spoken in Hawaii
Along with English, Hawaiian is the official language for the state of Hawaii. On six of the seven inhabited Hawaiian Islands, Hawaiian language is largely displaced by English language. Native Hawaiian speakers who live on island Niihau have remained fairly isolated and have continued to use Hawaiian language almost exclusively.
A variant of local English spoken in Hawaii is formally called Hawaiian Creole English. It developed from Pidgin English and often called Pidgin or Hawaiian Pidgin. It should not be mistaken for Hawaiian language.
The Hawaiian alphabet is made of 18 letters. It consists of Roman letters (a, e, i, o, u, h, k, l, m, n, p, w), Roman letters (a, e, i, o, u) with a diacritical mark called a kahako, and a diacritical mark called okina. This breaks down to 10 Hawaiian vowels and 8 Hawaiian consonants.
To further guide you through proper pronunciation, The Basic Hawaiian Language Workshop is a great resource.
Popular Hawaiian words and phrases
Aloha is pronounced "ah-loh-hah". This is the most frequently used Hawaiian word. It's a greeting, goodbye and love. It's a philosophy, a way of living, and code of life. Aloha is everywhere.
Hale [hah leh] - home, house building.
Kane [kah neh] - man, male, Mr.
Kapuna [koo poo nah] - elder
Kieki [kay kee] - child, children.
Kukui [koo koo ee] - candlenut tree nuts that used for lei making.
Kumu [koo moo] - teacher.
Lanai [lah nie] - porch, veranda, patio.
Luau [loo ow] - Hawaiian feast.
Mahalo [mah hah low] - thank you.
Nui [noo wee] - big, lots.
Ohana [oh hah nah] - family.
Pau [pow] - done, finished.
Papa [pah pah] - class.
Pau hana [pow hah nah] - finish work.
Poi [poy] - Hawaiian staple from pounded cooked taro root, formed to a paste.
Poke [poh keh] - appetizer made of cubed raw fish in a marinade of kukui nut-sea salt relish with chili peppers and seaweed.
Pua [poo wah] - flower.
Wahine [wah hee neh] - woman, female, wife, Mrs.
Wikiwiki [wee kee wee kee] - quickly, hurry up!
These Hawaiian words and phrases are some of the most popular you will hear in Hawaii. You'll find they are some of the easiest to learn too.
Le'a le'a! (Have fun!)
Published by islandermom
Islandermom worked as a restaurant manager in her earlier years. Presently she is a military spouse who stays at home to care for her 4 children. She enjoys writing in her spare time. View profile
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26 Comments
Post a CommentThe site you put a link to doesn't work anymore
‘Ä, ‘ē, ‘ī, ‘Å, ‘ū, hÄ“, kÄ“, lÄ, mÅ«, nÅ«, pÄ«, wÄ“, ‘okina. Any questions?
please dont forget that hawaii is one of the most beautiful places to visit, if anyone gets a chance, go to Hilo, they have a wonderful national park there that is centered around volcanos. There is also a cute little zoo there with an ox that i lie to call Arnold (even though he already has one):) It is truly awesome. Hawaii is truly one of the most beautiful places I've ever lived. Top 5!
mahalo everyone, hawaii is a great place to visit but please remember that there are many places (as in most places) that are more dangerous than the others, please stick with the tour guides and don't stray too far in small groups. Some people here target tourists, and you will stick out no matter what you do. I have lived in Oahu for several years, tourists please... you will be the outcasts, especially if you stray too far from populated tourist areas. Targeting could range from paying double parking fare to being robbed.
Aloha ! I have been to Honlulu recently, what a blast ! I LOVE HAWAII ! :-) Hopefully I will be back soon ...
Mahalo
aloha kakahiaka pehea oe a pau oe.
im hawaiian living in oahu papakolea hawaiian homestead.
just showing sum love to the new comers.
olelo hawaii its very hoihoi to learn.
okay mahalo nui loa malama pono.
aloha au i hawai'i
where iz de bafroom
Hi everyone, I'm 18, and just about a week ago found out that I am part Hawaiian :) so I researched my name and found it in Hawaiian. I am currently learning Hawaiian, and I must say, this was a WONDERFUL article. Mahalo :P
Aloha! I love Hawaii! We went to Maui a few years ago. It left a wonderful impression on me and I long to return! My grandma was born in Honolulu! Mahalo for a great article!
This is an interesting article. I used to know a Hawaiian family, but they didn't teach me any Hawaiian though!
Sophie