Hawaiian Verb · Emotions
hoʻopūʻiwa
Pronunciation: /hoh-oh-POO-ee-wah/
Meaning
To surprise, startle, shock. It is the act of causing someone to be surprised.
Example sentences
Ua hoʻopūʻiwa au i koʻu kupuna wahine me kaʻu makana nui.
I surprised my grandmother with my big gift.
Mai hoʻopūʻiwa mai ʻoe iaʻu pēlā i ka pōʻeleʻele!
Don't startle me like that in the dark!
ʻO ka nani o ka naheleahi ua hoʻopūʻiwa i nā malihini.
The beauty of the volcano surprised the tourists.
About this word
“hoʻopūʻiwa” is a Hawaiian verb meaning To surprise, startle, shock. It is part of the ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi (Hawaiian language) vocabulary in the category of Emotions. Definitions are based on the Pukui-Elbert Hawaiian Dictionary.