HAWAIIAN GOODNESS
Even for the Mainlander
Hawaiian Starter Vocab - Starter Phrases
Here are some phrases to help you get started learning Hawaiian! These include phrases to introduce yourself to new people, asking and telling other if you do or don't understand, and responding to "Thank you"!
Starter Phrases
Introductions
ʻO wai kou inoa? (What is your name?)
ʻO [name] koʻu inoa. (My name is [name].)
No hea mai ʻoe? (Where are you from?)
No [place] mai au. (I am from [place].)
Pehea ʻoe? (How are you?)
Maikaʻi [nō] au. (I am [quite] well.)
ʻO ia mau [nō]. (The same as always.)
A ʻo ʻoe? (And you? / What about you?)
ʻO au pū. (Me too.)
Me ʻoe pū. (You too / Same to you.)
Expressing knowledge or ignorance
Maopopo [iā ʻoe]? (Do you understand? / Is it clear to you?)
Ua paʻa? (Do you understand? / Got it?)
ʻAʻole maopopo iaʻu. (I don't know; I don't understand; It's not clear/known to me.)
ʻAʻole au ʻike. (I don't know; I don't see/experience it.)
Koe aku ia. (I don't know; It remains to be seen.)
He aha ka manaʻo o [word]? (What is the meaning of [word]? / What does [word] mean?)
Manaʻo au... (I think...)
Quizlet will allow you to view this vocab list, practice using flashcards, play word games, and quiz yourself. Click there to access these features!
But remember: nothing beats good, old-fashioned pen and paper!
Gratitude
Mahalo nui loa. (Thank you very much.)
ʻAʻole pilikia. (No problem.)
Noʻu ka hauʻoli. (My pleasure / Happy to do it.)
He mea iki [ia]. (It was nothing / Merely a trifle.)