Hawaiian Verb · Ocean
ʻaʻau
Pronunciation: /ah-ah-oo/
Meaning
To swim, especially in the ocean. It implies a natural movement through water.
Example sentences
Hele kāua e ʻaʻau i ke kai hohonu.
Let's go swim in the deep sea.
Maʻa ka poʻe kahiko i ka ʻaʻau ʻana me ka makaʻu ʻole.
The ancient people were accustomed to swimming without fear.
ʻAʻole hiki iaʻu ke ʻaʻau ma lalo o kēia nalu nui.
I cannot swim under this large wave.
About this word
“ʻaʻau” is a Hawaiian verb meaning To swim, especially in the ocean. It is part of the ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi (Hawaiian language) vocabulary in the category of Ocean. Definitions are based on the Pukui-Elbert Hawaiian Dictionary.