HAWAIIAN GOODNESS
Even for the Mainlander
Duolingo Category #12: Dates
For the "Dates" category, there is NO Tips section. Since this is unfortunately lacking on Duolingo, take a peek at my explanation below.
Lessons Taught
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Vocabulary: Calendar [Days of the Week, Months, Seasons], Activities
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Sentence Structure: " ʻo " : Equational Sentences
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Asking and Responding to "What day [of the week]?"
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Asking and Responding to "On what day [of the week]?" : Revisiting "Aia"
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Asking and Responding to "What date?"
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Revisiting " ʻo " vs. " o "
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Place names
Vocabulary
Calendar [Days of the Week, Months, Seasons], Activities
- Lā = Day; Sun
- Pō = Night
- Lānui = Holiday (lit. Big day)
- Lā hānau = Birthday (literal translation)
- Lā ʻapōpō = Tomorrow
- Nehinei = Yesterday
- Mahina = Month
- ʻaha mele = Concert, song festival
- Hōʻike = Test, exam; presentation, show
- Huakaʻi = Trip
- Pōpeku = Football
- Pāʻani = Game (including sports)
→ Pāʻani pōpeku = Football game [n]; To play football [v]
- Kauka = Doctor
- Hālāwai = Appointment [n]; To take appointments [v]
- Hoʻomoana = To camp
- Pōʻahia? = What day? / What day of the week?
→ Pō + ʻehia
- Pōʻakahi = Monday
→ Pō + ʻekahi (etc.)
- Pōʻalua = Tuesday
- Pōʻakolu = Wednesday
- Pōʻahā = Thursday
- Pōʻalima = Friday
- Pōʻaono = Saturday
- Lāpule = Sunday (lit. Prayer day)
- Ianuali = January
→ Uppercase "i," NOT lower case "L"
- Pepeluali = February
- Malaki = March
- Kau = Season
- Kau wela = Summer (lit. Hot season)
- Kau hāʻulelau = Fall, autumn
- Kau hoʻoilo = Winter
- Kau kupulau = Spring
Compound Verb!
Sentence Structure: " ʻo"
Equational Sentences
The next Hawaiian sentence structure brought up in this Duolingo category offers another use of the word " ʻo. " This new type of sentence is called an Equational Sentence.
This structure begins with the untranslatable " ʻo, " then is followed by two parts of the sentence that are "equal" to each other. This is the closest we get to the linking verb is. We've already seen this structure in action in previous Duolingo categories! Let's take a look at one as an example:
ʻO Becka koʻu inoa.
[My name is Becka.]
This sentence starts with " ʻO, " so we already know that this is going to be an Equational Sentence, which means there will subsequently be two parts that are "equal" to each other. These two parts, here, are "Becka" and "ko‘u inoa." So: Becka = koʻu inoa ("Becka = my name"). We translate the " = " as is, therefore "Becka is my name" is the proper translation for this sentence.
Let's take a look at another example from a previous category:
ʻO ka manakō koʻu makemake.
[I want the mango.]
[lit. The mango (is) my desire.]
What are the two parts to this Equational Sentence (indicated by the beginning " ʻO ")? Ka manakō = koʻu makemake ("The mango = my desire"). Due to the nature of " = " you can actually switch the two sides and it will mean the same thing, as long as you keep the " ʻO " at the beginning! Therefore:
ʻO ka manakō | koʻu makemake.
OR
ʻO koʻu makemake | ka manakō.
[I want the mango.]
[lit. The mango (is) my desire / My desire (is) the mango.]
Each of these Hawaiian sentences will be accepted on Duolingo, so don't worry about which one you're supposed to use!
This works for questions as well:
ʻO ka mea hea | kou makemake?
OR
ʻO kou makemake | ka mea hea?
[Which one do you want?]
[lit. Which one (is) your desire? / Your desire (is) which one?]
Here is one last example from a category that we've seen before at the end of the Practice section:
ʻO ia koʻu tūtū wahine.
OR
ʻO koʻu tūtū wahine ʻo ia.
[She is my grandmother.]
If you haven't noticed from the vocab list, each day of the week in Hawaiian is composed of two words smooshed into one: Pō ("night") and the corresponding number. So Monday, the first day of the week, is Pō + ʻekahi, or Pōʻakahi. Tuesday is the second day of the week, so in Hawaiian it is Pōʻalua, and so forth. The only one that doesn't follow this pattern is Sunday: Lāpule, or, literally, "prayer day."
When we are asking "What day?" or "What day of the week?" we use a similar word: Pōʻahia? This word consists of Pō and the question word ʻehia? therefore Pōʻahia? would literally translate to "How many nights?" Let's see this word in action:
ʻO ka Pōʻahia kēia?
[What day (of the week) is this?]
[What day (of the week) is today?]
[What day (of the week) is it?]
Notice the use of the Equational Sentence here. We are equating "ka Pōʻahia" to "kēia," hence our addition of the word "is" in the English translation. As discussed earlier, you can switch the two sides: " ʻO kēia | ka Pōʻahia? " = "This is what day (of the week)?"
As usual, our response is going to replace the question word (in this case, Pōʻahia?) with the answer. For example:
ʻO ka Pōʻakolu kēia.
[This is Wednesday.]
[Today is Wednesday.]
[It's Wednesday.]
As we've seen, asking and responding to "What day (of the week) is __?" uses an Equational Sentence because the added is in the English translation is a linking verb - we are equating/linking two sides of the sentence.
When asking "On what day (of the week) is __?" the word is is providing a location. Therefore, we will be using the Aia sentence structure. How do we know this? Because of English word on, or the Hawaiian word ma (or the interchangeable "i"). For example:
Aia ka ʻaha mele ma ka Pōʻahia?
[The concert is on what day (of the week)?]
[On what day (of the week) is the concert?]
[What day (of the week) is the concert on?]
Again, this question is asking for a location (in time). That is why we use Aia instead of an Equational Sentence.
As usual, our response is going to replace the question word (in this case, Pōʻahia?) with the answer. For example:
Aia ka ʻaha mele ma ka Pōʻaono.
[The concert is on Saturday.]
We are stating that the concert is on Saturday, a location in time.
Compare once more to an Equational Sentence:
ʻO ka Pōʻahia ka lā ʻapōpō?
[What day (of the week) is tomorrow?]
[Tomorrow is what day (of the week)?]
ʻO ka Pōʻakahi ka lā ʻapōpō.
[Tomorrow is Monday.]
[Monday is tomorrow.]
These sentences are not asking for a location in time, they are asking (and then answering) you to identify what "tomorrow" is. "Tomorrow = ?" , "Tomorrow = Monday."
Asking someone for the "day" is different than asking someone for the "date." One will give you a day of the week (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, etc), the other will a number of the month (May 19th, the 4th of July, etc).
When asking someone for the "date," we will be using the term Lā ʻehia? We can translate this as "Which day/date?" or "What day/date?" This term can use an Equational Sentence or an "Aia" Sentence, depending on your understanding of the difference between the two. For example:
Sentence A
ʻO ka lā ʻehia ka lānui?
[What date is the holiday?]
Sentence B
Aia ma ka lā ʻehia ka pāʻani pōpeku?
[On what date is the football game?]
[What date is the football game on?]
When asking for the date, you can also ask about the month specifically too! Just add "o [month]," since technically the month does own each of its dates.
Aia ka huakaʻi ma ka lā ʻehia o Ianuali?
[The trip is on which date of January?]
[On what day of January is the trip?]
As usual, our response is going to replace the question word (in this case ʻehia?) with the answer. For example:
Aia ka huakaʻi ma ka lā ʻumi o Ianuali.
[The trip is on the tenth (day) of January.]
[The trip is on January tenth.]
This Duolingo section brings up a few sentences that might make you question what you know on the difference between ʻo and o (with and without the ʻokina). Just remember that ʻo goes before names (of people, but also cities/places, and months), while o means of for possession.
ʻO kēia ka mahina ʻo Ianuali.
[This is the month, January.]
ʻO kēia ka mahina o Ianuali.
[This is the month of January.]
The difference in translation is subtle, and the sentiment of the sentence is practically the same, but Duolingo will mark you incorrect if you use one of these English translations for the other Hawaiian sentence.
Duolingo once again is trying to immerse you with terms/names - this time, with places! Here is a list and a small description of each one of these Hawaiian locations brought up in this category.
Duolingo mentions the island of Maui by name. However, it also mentions specific cities located on the Island of Hawaiʻi and on Oʻahu. These three islands are the most widely known outside of the state, as they are large tourist destinations in contrast to the other islands.
Lastly, Waiʻanae is also located on Oʻahu. Unlike Waikīkī, Waiʻanae is much less populated and not an attraction for tourists. It's home of the Waiʻanae Mountain Range, born of a shield volcano long ago.
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Asking and Responding to "What day [of the week]?"
Asking and Responding to "On what day [of the week]?"
Revisiting "Aia"
Note that in cases like these, where there is already an ʻo, you won't need to put a second one. So a sentence will NEVER start with " ʻO ʻo ia," or
" ʻO ʻo [name]." You do, however, still need that ʻo if you decide to put that part at the end of the sentence, as with the ʻo ia in this last example
(ʻO koʻu tūtū wahine ʻo ia.).
Note that the difference between Equational Sentences and "He" Sentences (learned earlier) is that He for the most part, translates to a / an. "He lā nani kēia lā" translates to "Today is a beautiful day." If your English sentence has "a [noun]" in it, then you will use the "He" Sentence Structure. If it doesn't, then you will use the Equational Sentence. "Today is my birthday!" (no a / an) translates to " ʻO koʻu lā hānau kēia!"
This is a type of Sentence Structure that might be the most important, yet confusing, one introduced on Duolingo and in the Hawaiian language. It is very important to make sure you understand how it works - you will see it throughout the Hawaiian Duolingo course from now on. If you do not understand it, you will have difficulties with the rest of the course!
"Aloha! ʻO wai kēnā?"
"Aloha! ʻO koʻu wahine kēia, ʻo Keoki. E Keoki, ʻo kēia ʻo Kawika."
"Aloha kākou!"
Note also how we will always use ka before the day of the week, including behind Pōʻahia?
If you are unfamiliar with your numbers 1-10, revisit the last post.
" ʻO ka Pōʻahia kēia?"
" ʻO ka Pōʻahā kēia."
There is a very important distinction between the question "What day (of the week)?" and "ON what (day of the week)?"
This difference will affect what type of Hawaiian sentence structure we use. This proves to be very difficult for people learning this category!
Asking and Responding to "What date?"
See if you can reason out why Sentence A uses an Equational Sentence (instead of an "Aia" Sentence) and why Sentence B uses an "Aia" Sentence (instead of an Equational Sentence). If you can't figure why, reread the sections above and perhaps some of the practice below.
"Aia ka huakaʻi ma ka lā ʻehia?"
"Aia ka huakaʻi ma ka lā ʻewalu o Malaki. ʻO koʻu lā hānau kēlā!"
Revisiting " ʻo " vs. " o "
Place Names
Kona (full name: Kailua-Kona) is a large city and district on the western side of the Island of Hawaiʻi. It is best known for its coffee production in addition to hosting the annual Ironman World Championship Triathlon!
Ke kope o Kona
Heʻeia is a place on the Island of Oʻahu. It is home to a culturally and historically significant fishpond and the "Stairway to Heaven" - a steep hiking trail overlooking the beautiful nature atop a mountain range.
Waikīkī is a place on the south end of the city Honolulu, on the Island of Oʻahu. It was the first and original capital of the Hawaiian Islands in 1795-96. Now, it is a famous tourist destination where people can visit the nearby beach that holds surfing, hula, and canoe racing competitions.
Statue of Duke Kahanamoku ("father of modern surfing") in Waikīkī
Makua Valley in the Waiʻanae Range on Oʻahu
PRACTICE!
Practice what you learned by translating these sentences copied/pasted from this category of Duolingo. The English translations are below. When you feel confident enough, try translating the English into Hawaiian!
Then: try it on Duolingo!
Hawaiian Sentences:
Nui ka ua i ke kau hāʻulelau.
He lānui ka Pōʻaono.
Aia ka ʻaha mele ma ka lā ʻapōpō!
Aia ka hōʻike ma ka lā ʻapōpō?
Aia ka hōʻike ma ka Pōʻakahi.
Aia ka hōʻike ma ka Pōʻakolu.
Aia ka ʻaha mele ma ka Pōʻahia?
Aia ka ʻaha mele ma ka Pōʻaono.
Aia ka pāʻani pōpeku ma ka Pōʻahia?
Aia ma ka lā ʻehia ka pāʻani pōpeku?
Aia ka huakaʻi ma ka lā ʻehia o Ianuali?
Aia ka pāʻani pōpeku ma ka lā ʻekolu o Pepeluali.
Aia ka ʻaha mele ma ka lā ʻumi o Ianuali.
Aia ka hālāwai kauka ma ka lā ʻumi o Malaki.
Aia ka huakaʻi ma Malaki.
Aia ka huakaʻi i ke kau hāʻulelau.
ʻO ka Pōʻakolu ka lā ʻaha mele.
ʻO ka Pōʻakahi ka lā ʻapōpō.
ʻO ka Pōʻakolu ka lā ʻapōpō.
ʻO ka Pōʻahia ka lā ʻapōpō?
ʻO ka Lāpule ka lā ʻapōpō.
ʻO ka Pōʻahia kēia?
ʻO ka Pōʻakolu kēia.
ʻO ka Lāpule kēia.
ʻO ka Pōʻaono kēia.
ʻO koʻu lā hānau kēia!
ʻO ka lā ʻehia ka lānui?
ʻO ka lānui ka lā ʻehiku o Pepeluali.
ʻO nehinei kou lā hānau?
ʻO nehinei ka Lāpule.
ʻO Pepeluali ka mahina ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi.
ʻO kēia ka mahina ʻo Ianuali.
ʻO kēia ka mahina ʻo Malaki.
ʻOluʻolu ʻo Maui i ke kau kupulau.
Anuanu ka makani i ke kau hoʻoilo.
Wela ka hale i ke kau wela ma Kona.
Ikiiki ʻo Heʻeia i ke kau hāʻulelau.
Hālāwai ke kauka ma nā Pōʻakahi.
Heʻe nalu au i ke kau wela ma Waikīkī.
Pāʻani pōpeku kākou i ke kau hoʻoilo.
Hoʻomoana ka poʻe i ke kau hoʻoilo.
Hoʻomoana nā keiki i ke kau kupulau.
Hoʻomoana kākou i ke kau wela ma Waiʻanae.
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Translations:
There is lots of rain in the fall.
Saturday is a holiday.
The concert is tomorrow!
Is the test/presentation/show tomorrow?
The test is on Monday.
The show is on Wednesday.
The concert is on what day of the week?
The concert is on Saturday.
The football game is on what day of the week? / What day of the week is the football game (on)?
(On) What date is the football game?
The trip is on which date of January?
The football game is on February third.
The concert is on January tenth.
The doctor appointment is on the 10th of March.
The trip is in March.
The trip is in the fall.
Wednesday is the day of the song fest.
Tomorrow is Monday. / Monday is tomorrow.
Tomorrow is Wednesday.
What day of the week is tomorrow?
Tomorrow is Sunday.
What day of the week is this? / What day is today?
Today is Wednesday. / This is Wednesday.
Today is Sunday.
Today is Saturday.
It’s my birthday!
What date is the holiday?
The seventh day of February is the holiday.
Was yesterday your birthday?
Yesterday was Sunday.
February is Hawaiian language month.
This is the month, January.
This is the month of March.
Maui is pleasant in the spring.
The wind is cold in the winter.
The house is hot in the summer in Kona.
Heʻeia is humid in the fall.
The doctor takes appointments on Mondays.
We play football in the winter.
I surf in the summer in Waikīkī.
The people camp in the winter.
The children camp in the spring.
We all camp in the summer in Waiʻanae.
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Pau! [Done!]
Check out the next post -
Duolingo Category #13: Time
Aloha! Bye!