Hawaiian Phrase · Culture
ʻIke aku, ʻike mai
Pronunciation: /EE-keh ah-koo, EE-keh mah-ee/
Meaning
See and be seen; recognize and be recognized. Implies mutual understanding and respect.
Example sentences
Ma ka hālāwai ʻana, ua ʻike aku au iā ia a ua ʻike mai ʻo ia iaʻu; ʻo ia ka ʻike aku, ʻike mai.
At the meeting, I saw him and he saw me; that is seeing and being seen.
Ke ulu nei ka pilina ma waena o ko lāua ʻohana ma ka ʻike aku, ʻike mai, a me ke aloha.
The relationship between their families is growing through mutual recognition and love.
He mea nui ka ʻike aku, ʻike mai i loko o ke kaiāulu no ka mālama ʻana i ka pilina.
Mutual recognition and being recognized is important within the community for maintaining relationships.
About this word
“ʻIke aku, ʻike mai” is a Hawaiian phrase meaning See and be seen; recognize and be recognized. It is part of the ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi (Hawaiian language) vocabulary in the category of Culture. Definitions are based on the Pukui-Elbert Hawaiian Dictionary.