Hawaiian Noun Phrase · Culture
ʻŌlelo Pōʻai
Pronunciation: /OH-leh-lo poh-EYE/
Meaning
Circular speech or roundabout talk. Language that is indirect or takes a circuitous route to a point.
Example sentences
Ua ʻike ʻo ia i ka ʻoiaʻiʻo, akā, ua hoʻāʻo ʻo ia e hoʻohana i ka ʻōlelo pōʻai.
He knew the truth, but he tried to use circular speech.
I ka wā i nīnau ai au iā ia, ua pane mai ʻo ia me ka ʻōlelo pōʻai.
When I asked him, he responded with roundabout talk.
Mai hoʻohana ʻoe i ka ʻōlelo pōʻai me aʻu; e haʻi pololei mai ka mea āu e manaʻo ai.
Don't use indirect language with me; tell me directly what you think.
About this word
“ʻŌlelo Pōʻai” is a Hawaiian noun phrase meaning Circular speech or roundabout talk. It is part of the ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi (Hawaiian language) vocabulary in the category of Culture. Definitions are based on the Pukui-Elbert Hawaiian Dictionary.