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Common Words and Phrases
| Hawai'ian Word | Definition | Pronunciation | Hear it--click to play |
|---|---|---|---|
| `A`ala | smell good | [audio:aala.mp3] | |
| A hui hou | Till we meet again | [audio:ahuihou.mp3] | |
| A hui hou kakou | Until we meet again | [audio:ahuihoukakou.mp3] | |
| A`a | sharp jagged lava rock | (AH-ah) | [audio:aa.mp3] |
| A`ole pilikia | You're welcome / No problem | [audio:aolepilikia.mp3] | |
| Ae | yes | [audio:ae.mp3] | |
| Ahupua'a | land division | [audio:ahupuaa.mp3] | |
| Aina | land, especially Hawaiian ancestral lands | (EYE-nah) | [audio:aina.mp3] |
| Akamai | Smart, Clever, Intelligent | (AHH-kah-my) | [audio:akamai.mp3] |
| Okole' | Ass or butt (slang) | (AHH-koh-leh) | [audio:akole.mp3] |
| Akua | God | (AHH-koo-ah) | [audio:akua.mp3] |
| Ala | road, way, path | (AHH-lah) | [audio:ala.mp3] |
| Alelo | Tongue, language. | (AHH-lay-low) | [audio:alelo.mp3] |
| Ali'i | Chief, chiefess, or royalty | (ah-LEE-ee) | [audio:alii.mp3] |
| Aloha | Love, affection, compassion, mercy, sympathy, pity, kindness, sentiment, grace, charity; greeting, salutation, regards; to love, be fond of; to show kindness, mercy, pity, charity, affection; Hello! Good-bye! Farewell! Alas! | (ah-LOW-ha) | [audio:aloha.mp3] |
| Aloha `auinala | Good afternooon | [audio:alohaauinala.mp3] | |
| Aloha `oe | Farewell to you | [audio:alohaoe.mp3] | |
| Aloha ahiahi | Good evening | [audio:alohaahiahi.mp3] | |
| Aloha 'aina | Love of the land; to nurture and care for the land. | [audio:alohaaina.mp3] | |
| Aloha au ia 'oe | I love you | [audio:alohaauiaoe.mp3] | |
| Aloha kakahiaka | Good morning | [audio:alohakakahiaka.mp3] | |
| Aloha nui loa | Very much love | [audio:alohanuiloa.mp3] | |
| A'ole pilikia | No problem, no trouble. | [audio:aolepilikia.mp3] | |
| Auana | modern hula dance hula | [audio:auana.mp3] | |
| Aumakua | ancestral spirit | [audio:aumakua.mp3] | |
| E Komo Mai | Welcome! Enter | ||
| Halau | school, such as hula (hula group) | [audio:halau.mp3] | |
| Hale | house building haole foreigner, especially now Caucasian | [audio:hale.mp3] | |
| Hana | work | [audio:hana.mp3] | |
| Hana hou | Encore, do it again. | [audio:hanahou.mp3] | |
| Hanai | Adopted | (HUH-nigh) | [audio:hanai.mp3] |
| Haole | A white person; Caucasian | (HOW-leh) | [audio:haole.mp3] |
| Hapa haole | person of mixed racial ancestry | (HAH-pah HOW-leh) | [audio:hapahaole.mp3] |
| Hapai | carry, pregnant | (HAH-pie) | [audio:hapai.mp3] |
| Hau`oli la Hanau | Happy Birthday | (how-oh-lee la ha-now) | [audio:hauolilahanau.mp3] |
| Hau`oli la Ho'omaha loa | Happy Retirement | how-oh-lee la ho-o-ma-ha low-a | [audio:hauolilahoomanaloa.mp3] |
| Hau`oli la Ho'omana'o | Happy Anniversary | how-oh-lee la ho-o-ma-na-o | [audio:hauolilahoomanao.mp3] |
| Hauoli | Happiness | [audio:hauolihanukaha.mp3] | |
| Hau'oli Hanukaha | Happy Hanukkah | how-oh-lee ha-new-ka-ha | [audio:hauolihanukaha.mp3] |
| Hau'oli Hanukaha me ka Makahiki Hou | Happy Hanukkah and New Year | [audio:hauolihanukahameka.mp3] | |
| Hau'oli Makahiki Hou | Happy New Year | how-oh-lee ma-ka-hee-key ho | [audio:hauolimakahikihou.mp3] |
| hehena | raving mad, possessed, lunatic | [audio:hehena.mp3] | |
| Heiau | Pre-Christian shrine or place of worship | (hay-EE-ow) | [audio:heiau.mp3] |
| Hele | move, go, travel | [audio:hele.mp3] | |
| Hiapo | First Born | [audio:hiapo.mp3] | |
| Hina | Mist | (HEE-nah) | [audio:hina.mp3] |
| Ho'aloha | friend | [audio:haaloha.mp3] | |
| Ho'ike | show, display | [audio:hoike.mp3] | |
| Hoku | star | [audio:hoku.mp3] | |
| Holoholo | out on a lark, fishing | [audio:holoholo.mp3] | |
| Honu | turtle | [audio:honu.mp3] | |
| Huhu | angry, offended hula | [audio:huhu.mp3] | |
| Hula | The dance of Hawaii | (WHO-lah) | [audio:hula.mp3] |
| Huli-huli | Hawaiian for rotisserie or 'end-over-end' and is also the name for a marinade made and sold in the Hawaiian Islands. It is composed of mostly ginger and shoyu (soy sauce). Huli-huli sauce has a particular pungent smell and taste and is similar to teriyaki sauce. It is best as a marinade used before and during cooking, | (HOO-lee HOO-lee) | [audio:hulihuli.mp3] |
| Humuhumunukunukuapua'a | Varieties of triggerfish characterized by a pig'-like snout. | [audio:humuhumu.mp3] | |
| I'a | fish | [audio:ia.mp3] | |
| Imu | An underground oven you will see at a luau | (EE-moo) | [audio:imu.mp3] |
| Kahiko | ancient hula dance | [audio:kahiko.mp3] | |
| Kahu | Guardian, leader, minister | (KAH-hoo) | [audio:kahu.mp3] |
| Kahuna | Expert. A priest, minister, or an expert at any profession | (kah-WHO-na) | [audio:kahuna.mp3] |
| Kai | Sea, sea water; area near the sea, seaside | CHI (as in "sigh") | [audio:kai.mp3] |
| Kala | money | (kah-lah) | [audio:kala.mp3] |
| Kala mai ia'u | Excuse me | [audio:kalamaiiau.mp3] | |
| Kalo | taro | (Kah-loh) | [audio:kalo.mp3] |
| Kama'aina | Native-born, one born in a place, host; acquainted, familiar. Commonly referred to a long-time resident of Hawai'i, as distinguished from a visitor. | (Kah-ma-EYE-na) | [audio:kamaaina.mp3] |
| Kane | A man or boy | (KAH-nay) | [audio:kane.mp3] |
| Kanikapila | musical jam session | [audio:kanikapila.mp3] | |
| Kapa | Cloth made from the bark of the wauke tree | (Kah-pah) | [audio:kapa.mp3] |
| Kapu | Sacred, taboo, forbidden, no trespassing | (KAH-poo) | [audio:kapu.mp3] |
| Ke'aloha | Love is all around | (KAY-Ah-LOW-hah) | [audio:kealoha.mp3] |
| Keiki | Child, offspring, or children | (KAY-key) | [audio:keiki.mp3] |
| Koa | Warrior | (KOH-ah) | [audio:koa.mp3] |
| Kokua | Help, aid, assistance, relief, assistant, associate, deputy, helper; co-operation; to help, assist, support, accommodate. | (koh-KOO-ah) | [audio:kokua.mp3] |
| Kolohe | Rascal | (KOH-LOW-hay) | [audio:kolohe.mp3] |
| Kuleana | Responsibility | (Koo-lay-ah-nah) | [audio:kuleana.mp3] |
| Kulikuli | Be quiet! Shut up! | (Koo-lee-koo-lee) | [audio:kulikuli.mp3] |
| Kumu | teacher | (KOO-moo) | [audio:kumu.mp3] |
| Kupuna | Grandparent, ancestor | (KOO-poo-na) | [audio:kupuna.mp3] |
| Kuuipo | Sweetheart | (KOO-OO-EE-po) | [audio:kuuipo.mp3] |
| Laki | Lucky | (lah-KEY) | [audio:laki.mp3] |
| Lanai | A porch, patio, or balcony | (lah-NIGH) | [audio:lanai.mp3] |
| Lani | sky, the heavens | (LAH-nee) | [audio:lani.mp3] |
| Lau | leaf | (LOW as in "Cow") | [audio:lau.mp3] |
| Laulea | Peaceful, happy | (LOW-lay-eh) | [audio:laulea.mp3] |
| Laulima | Cooperation | (LOW-lee-mah) | [audio:laulima.mp3] |
| Lehua | Beloved friend or relative | (LAY-Hoo-ah) | [audio:lehua.mp3] |
| Lei | A necklace of flowers, leaves, shells, feathers, given as a symbol of affection; beads; any ornament worn around the head or about the neck; | (lay) | [audio:lei.mp3] |
| Leilani | Heavenly flower | (LAY-lah-nee) | [audio:leilani.mp3] |
| Lo'i | taro patch | (low-ee) | [audio:loi.mp3] |
| Lolo | feeble minded, numb | (LOW-low) | [audio:lolo.mp3] |
| Luau | Literally means young taro tops, but used for a Hawaiian feast | (LEW-ow) | [audio:luau.mp3] |
| Luna | Foreman, boss, supervisor | (LOO-nah) | [audio:luna.mp3] |
| Mahalo | Thanks, gratitude, "Thank You" | (mah-HAH-low) | [audio:mahalo.mp3] |
| Mahalo nui loa | Thank you very much | [audio:mahalonuiloa.mp3] | |
| Maha'oi | insolent, rude, brazen | [audio:mahaoi.mp3] | |
| Mahina | moon | (MAH-hee-nah) | [audio:mahina.mp3] |
| Maika'i | Excellent, goodness, well-being | (MY-kah-ee) | [audio:maikai.mp3] |
| Maika'i no au | I am fine | (MY-kah-ee no ow) | [audio:maikainoau.mp3] |
| Maka | eye | (mah-KAH) | [audio:maka.mp3] |
| Makai | On the seaside. Ocean, used to mean "toward the ocean" | (mah-kigh) | [audio:makai.mp3] |
| Makana | Gift, present | [audio:makana.mp3] | |
| Makua | Parent, any relative of the parent's generation, as uncle, aunt, cousin; progenitor; main stalk of a plant; adult; full-grown, mature, older, senior. | [audio:makua.mp3] | |
| Malama | To take care of, tend, attend, care for, preserve, protect, maintain; care, preservation, support, fidelity, loyalty; caretaker, keeper. | [audio:malama.mp3] | |
| Malihini | new comer, visitor | [audio:malihini.mp3] | |
| Mana'o | thought | [audio:manao.mp3] | |
| Manapua | generic term for Chinese dim sum | [audio:manapua.mp3] | |
| Manini | stingy | [audio:manini.mp3] | |
| Mano | shark | [audio:mano.mp3] | |
| Manu | bird | [audio:manu.mp3] | |
| Manuahi | free, gratis | [audio:manuahi.mp3] | |
| maoli | Hawaiian people kane man, male | [audio:maoli.mp3] | |
| Mau Loa | Forever | [audio:mauloa.mp3] | |
| Mauka | Inland, upland, toward the mountains. | (MOW-ka [rhymes with how-ka]) | [audio:mauka.mp3] |
| Mele | chant or melodic song for hula dancing | [audio:mele.mp3] | |
| Mele Kalikimaka | Merry Christmas | (MAY-lee ka-lee-key-MAH-ka) | [audio:melekalikimaka.mp3] |
| Mele Kalikimaka me ka Hau'oli Makahiki Hou | Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year | [audio:melekalikimakameka.mp3] | |
| Menehune | Legendary race of small people believed to have worked during the night building roads, fish ponds and temples. | [audio:menehune.mp3] | |
| Moana | ocean | (MO-ah-nah) | [audio:moana.mp3] |
| Moku | island | (MO-koo) | [audio:moku.mp3] |
| Mo'o | lizard | [audio:moo.mp3] | |
| Moopuna | Grandchild | [audio:moopuna.mp3] | |
| Nalu | Wave, surf; full of waves; to form waves | [audio:nalu.mp3] | |
| Nani | pretty | [audio:nani.mp3] | |
| Niele | nosey, frivolously inquisitive | [audio:niele.mp3] | |
| Niu | coconut | [audio:niu.mp3] | |
| Nui | Big, large, great, or important | (NEW-ee) | [audio:nui.mp3] |
| 'O ia mau no | Same as usual | [audio:oiamauno.mp3] | |
| Ohana | Family, relative, kin group; related. | (oh-HAH-nah) | [audio:ohana.mp3] |
| Olelo | Language, speech, word, quotation, statement, utterance, term; to speak, say, state, talk, mention, quote, converse, tell; oral, verbatim, verbal. | [audio:olelo.mp3] | |
| Oli | chant (not for hula dancing) | [audio:oli.mp3] | |
| Ono | Delicious or tasty, and also a large mackerel type of fish | (OH-no) | [audio:ono.mp3] |
| Opala | garbage, trash | [audio:opala.mp3] | |
| Opu | stomach, abdomen | [audio:opu.mp3] | |
| Pahoehoe | Smooth lava. | [audio:pahoehoe.mp3] | |
| Palahe | flattened, crushed | [audio:palahe.mp3] | |
| Pali | Cliff, a steep hill or slope | (PAH-lee) | [audio:pali.mp3] |
| Paniolo | Hawaiian cowboy | (paw-knee-OH-low) | [audio:paniolo.mp3] |
| Pau | Finished, ended, all done | (pow) | [audio:pau.mp3] |
| Pehea 'oe? | How are you? | [audio:peheaoe.mp3] | |
| Pilau | stinky, smelly | [audio:pilau.mp3] | |
| pilikia | troubles | [audio:pilikia.mp3] | |
| Pohaku | stone, rock | [audio:pohaku.mp3] | |
| Poi | A paste made from pounded taro root | (poy, as in boy) | [audio:poi.mp3] |
| Pokalolo | marijuana | [audio:pokalolo.mp3] | |
| Pomaika`i | Good Luck | [audio:pomaikai.mp3] | |
| Pu | shell | [audio:pu.mp3] | |
| Pua'a | pig puke book | [audio:puaa.mp3] | |
| Pule | Prayer, incantation, blessing, grace; to pray, worship, ask a blessing. | [audio:pule.mp3] | |
| Pupu | Snacks or appetizers | (poo-poo) | [audio:pupu.mp3] |
| Pupule | Crazy | [audio:pupule.mp3] | |
| Puuwai | Heart | [audio:puuwai.mp3] | |
| Tutu | Grandfather, Grandmother | (too-too) | [audio:tutu.mp3] |
| U'i | handsome, pretty, beautiful, youthful | (ooh-EE) | [audio:ui.mp3] |
| Uku | louse, flea ("uku head" 'a dumb, small brained person) | (OOH-koo) | [audio:uku.mp3] |
| Wa'a | canoe | [audio:waa.mp3] | |
| Wahine | Woman, lady | (wah-HEE-neh) | [audio:wahine.mp3] |
| Wai | fresh water | [audio:waia.mp3] | |
| Waipahe | Good-natured | [audio:waipahe.mp3] | |
| Wikiwiki | Fast or speedy | (wee-kee-wee-kee) | [audio:wikiwiki.mp3] |
