Hawaiian Verb · Emotions
hoʻopūʻiwa
Pronunciation: /ho-oh-poo-EE-wah/
Meaning
To startle, surprise, alarm. To cause a sudden shock or fear.
Example sentences
Ua hoʻopūʻiwa au i ka lohe ʻana i ke kani ʻino ma ka pō.
I was startled by hearing the bad noise in the night.
ʻAʻole au i manaʻo e hoʻopūʻiwa ʻo ia iaʻu me kēlā makana nui.
I didn't expect her to surprise me with such a big gift.
Hōʻalo ʻo ia ma kona kua a hoʻopūʻiwa iā ia.
He snuck up behind her and startled her.
About this word
“hoʻopūʻiwa” is a Hawaiian verb meaning To startle, surprise, alarm. It is part of the ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi (Hawaiian language) vocabulary in the category of Emotions. Definitions are based on the Pukui-Elbert Hawaiian Dictionary.