The Hawaiian language has offered a number of words to the English language. Some Hawaiian words are known to non-Hawaiian speakers, and a few have also been assimilated into the English language (e.g., aloha, meaning "hello", "love", or "goodbye", or mahalo, meaning "thank you"). English also borrows some Hawaiian words (e.g. ukulele, mahimahi, and muʻumuʻu). Hawaiian vocabulary often overlaps with other Polynesian languages, such as Tahitian, so it is not always clear which of those languages a term is borrowed from.
The Hawaiian orthography is notably different from the English orthography because there is a special letter in the Hawaiian alphabet, the ʻokina. The ʻokina represents a glottal stop, which indicates a short pause to separate syllables. The kahakō represents longer vowel sounds. Both the okina and kahakō are often omitted in English orthography.
Due to the Hawaiian orthography's difference from English orthography, the pronunciation of the words differ. For example, the muʻumuʻu, traditionally a Hawaiian dress, is pronounced by many mainland (colloquial term for the Continental U.S.) residents. However, many Hawaii residents have learned that the ʻokina in Hawaiian signifies a glottal stop. Thus, in the Hawaiian language, muʻumuʻu is pronounced , approximately . The pronunciations listed here are how it would sound in Hawaiian orthography.
Vowel Pronunciation a , or e , , or i or o or u or
Hawaiian word Meaning Pronunciation (IPA) Definition linkAā A kind of rough-surface volcanic rock. Note that there are two glottal stops before and after the first a. Thus, it is not spoken as "ahh", but as "ah-ah".LinkAkamai Intelligent, clever, smart.LinkAloha Hello, goodbye, and love; outside of Hawaii, only the first two meanings are used.LinkAwaA Polynesian shrub, Piper methysticum, of the pepper family, the aromatic roots of which are used to make an intoxicating beverage.Link Haole Foreigner or outsider. Usually directed towards Caucasians or people from the mainland. May be said offensively, but is commonly said familiarly.LinkHonu Green sea turtle.LinkHula Ancient Hawaiian form of dance. In the older days, men used to do hula as a sign of masculinity and as a war dance. Also see haka. Many people get confused between the Hawaiian hula (more graceful and slow) and the Tahitian hula (quicker and more hip movements).LinkHumuhumunukunukuāpuaa The reef triggerfish. It is notorious for its long name, which many struggle to pronounce correctly.LinkKahuna Hawaiian priest, wizard, or shaman; used in the slang phrase "big kahuna".LinkKamaāina Child of the Land, refers to any person born and raised in Hawai’i. Does not describe someone who moves to Hawai’i.LinkKeiki A child.LinkKukui The candlenut tree, state tree of Hawaii, so named because the nuts were used as candles. Kukui nut leis were worn by celebrities such as Jessica Simpson and Tyra Banks in 2005–07 and became popular must-have accessories.Link Lānai A veranda or patio, from the word lānai (not to be confused with the island, Lānai).LinkLaniakeaThe galaxy supercluster that is home to the Milky Way. It means "immeasurable heaven".Lei A garland of flowers and/or leaves to be worn around the neck (not to be confused with the Romanian lei, plural of leu, meaning the currency).Linklūau A Hawaiian feast.LinkMahalo Thank you.LinkMahi-mahi Dolphin fish; the word means "very strong."LinkMana Magical or spiritual power.Manō SharkMuʻumuʻu A loose gown or dress.LinkOhana Family, neighborhood. May also mean a guest house where family members stay.LinkOno Good to eat. May also refer to the Scombrid Fish, also known as the Wahoo.LinkPāhoehoe A kind of smooth-surface volcanic rock.LinkPele's hair A type of volcanic glass fibers named after Pele, the Hawaiian fire goddess of volcanoes (see also limu o Pele).Pele's tears Solidified pieces of lava named after Pele.Poi A type of Hawaiian food made from mashing corms of the taro plant.LinkPuka A hole or perforation. Puka shells are round shells with center holes, strung together to make popular necklaces.LinkTaboo From Hawaiian kapu. Also Maori, Tongan, Samoan, Tahitian tapu or Fijian tabu.LinkUkulele A small guitar-like musical instrument that resembles the Portuguese cavaquinho (literally "jumping flea").LinkWahine A (Polynesian) woman, a female surfer.LinkWiki Fast; used in the "Wiki Wiki Shuttle" and "English Wikipedia".Link
See also
Lists of English words of international origin List of English words of Polynesian origin
References