ʻŌlelo Noʻeau are Hawaiian proverbs that often offer wisdom for a person to live by. The ones chosen here are intended to apply particularly to your learning of the Hawaiian language in hopes to keep up your motivation.
This month's proverb is short and simple! Still, I'll provide a breakdown for your understanding. This one is advantageous if you're growing frustrated in understanding a certain grammar concept.
- ʻUmia = ʻUmi + ʻia ;
→ ʻUmi = To stifle, hold back, hold (breath)
→ ʻia = marker that indicates Passive (instead of "To stifle," it's "To be stifled")
- Hanu = Breath; To breathe
All together:
The breath is held.
Note:
This phrase was also used as a war cry to mean "Steady! Persist!"
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