Hawaiian phrasebook

Hawaiian, (Hawaiian: "`Ōlelo Hawai`i", IPA [ʔo:'lelo ha'vʌiʔi]) along with English, is an official language of the State of Hawaii.

Pronunciation guide[edit]

The Hawaiian alphabet has just 13 letters - consonants are H, K, L, M, N, P, W, and the glottal stop (Hawaiian: `okina IPA [ʔo'kina]) and vowels are A, E, I, O, and U.

Contrary to common misconceptions, the `okina is not a punctuation mark but a full consonant and must therefore be written. The macron (Hawaiian: kahakō, IPA [kaha'ko:]), in comparison, is a diacritic that indicates a long vowel, which is necessary as well to improve reading comprehension, because long vowels are phonemically distinct from short vowels. That is, two words with the same spelling may have drastically different meanings depending on where the kahakō is employed. Long vowels are markedly longer, except in colloquial speech.

The necessity of both the `okina and the kahakō is illustrated by the following word set (' indicates the primary stress):

ai IPA [ʌi] anaphoric particle, as in ka manu ka'u i `ike ai, the bird that I saw

`ai IPA [ʔʌi] vt. to eat; n. food

`ā`ī IPA [ʔa:ʔi:] n. neck

aī IPA [a'i:] interjection of surprise, pain; "ow, oh, ay, etc."

a`i IPA ['ʌʔi] prep. poetic/antiquated form of preposition i "in/on/at/by/etc."

Consonants[edit]

All consonants in Hawaiian are pronounced like their English counterparts, with the exception of w, which is pronounced both like the English "w" and like the English "v", changing the "wuh" sound to a "vuh" sound. The change is largely determined by the surrounding vowels: "w" is pronounced [v] when it occurs between any two front/central vowels (i.e., a, e, i) within word boundaries. It is always pronounced [w] after the back vowels (i.e., o, u), also within word boundaries. "W" may be pronounced either way word initially. Colloquial speech rapidity tends to change "w" to [v].

Examples:

Hawai`i [ha'vʌiʔi] "Hawaii"

`Awa [ʔava] or [ʔʌvə] (n) "kava root"

Iwi [ivi] (n) "bone"

U(w)ā [u'wa:] (vt) "to shout"

`O wai kou inoa? [ʔo vʌi kou i'noa] or [ʔo wʌi kou i'noa] "What is your name?" (Lit. "Who is your name?")

This change is largely dialectal, however, so certain regions don't pronounce "w" as [v].

A note on the Pidgin pronunciation of "Hawaii": It is imperative to recognize that speakers of Hawaiian Creole English (i.e., "Pidgin") pronounce "Hawaii" [hə'vʌʔi] or [hə'wʌʔi]. Suffice it to say this is not meant to be a faithful Hawaiian pronunciation of the name, although it is recognized as the correct pronunciation by the majority of Hawaii's inhabitants, regardless of whether they speak Pidgin or English. Hawaiian speakers pronounce "Hawaii" the Hawaiian way [ha'vʌiʔi], not the Pidgin way [hə'vʌʔi]. The Standard English pronunciation [hə'wai].

A note on aspiration: All Hawaiian plosives except for the `okina are aspirated. As such, aspiration is not indicated in the IPA transcription.

Vowels[edit]

Unlike English, which favors off-gliding open vowels so that "oh" is pronounced [ou] and "say" becomes [sei], all Hawaiian vowels are "pure". In this way, Hawaiian vowels are like Spanish and Japanese vowels.

a is pronounced "ah" - like the "a" in "father". However, in stressed position "a" is commonly pronounced [ʌ] as in "Hawai`i" [ha'vʌiʔi]. Similarly, unstressed "a" is frequently reduced to [ə] in colloquial settings.

e is pronounced "eh" - like the "e" in "hello"; never pronounced [ei].

i is pronounced "ee" - like the name of the English letter "e".

o is pronounced "oh" - just like the English "o"; never pronounced [ou].

u is pronounced "oo" - like the "oo" in "food"; never pronounced [ju(w)].

Long vowels (i.e., ā, ē, ī, ō, ū) are pronounced the same as their short counterparts but are held for a beat more. In speech, like vowels without an intervening `okina are pronounced as one long vowel.

Moana a Wākea [mo'ʌna:va:kea] (n) poetic name for the Pacific Ocean

Common diphthongs[edit]

Because Hawaiian is so vowel heavy, vowels must be clearly pronounced. If you pronounce the vowels in a diphthong quickly and clearly, you will almost always sound correct. However, there are important exceptions.

ae is pronounced [ae], somewhat similar to "eye".

ai is pronounced [ʌi].

ao is pronounced [ao], similar to "ow"

au is pronounced [ʌu].

ea is pronounced [ea], never "ei-ya".

ei is pronounced [ei], similar to the letter "a".

eo is pronounced [eo], never "ei-yo".

ie is pronounced [i(j)e] or [je] in rapid speech.

io is pronounced [i(j)o] or [jo] in rapid speech.

oa is pronounced [o(w)a].

oe is pronounced [o(w)e].

oi is pronounced [o(w)i].

ou is pronounced [ou(w)].

ua is pronounced ['u(w)a]. The stress is on the "u" not the "a".

ue is pronounced ['u(w)e]. The stress is on the "u" not the "e".

ui is pronounced ['u(w)i]. The stress is on the "u" not the "i".

uo is pronounced ['u(w)o]. The stress is on the "u" not the "o".

ia is pronounced differently depending on context as follows:

ia ['ia] pron. "he/she/it", and the [i] is generally blended with the preceding vowel. (Remember that all Hawaiian words end in a vowel.)

`ia [ʔia] passive voice particle market, as in Ua lawe `ia aku au. "I was taken away."

iā [ja:] object marker, as in E huli aku `oe iā Malia. "Go look for Malia."

ia [jə] pron. "(to) him/her/it", as in E imi aku `oe iā ia. Seek him/her/it out. In this case, iā ia is pronounced as one word ['ja:jə].

Phrase list[edit]

Basics[edit]

Hello.: Aloha. [a'loha]
How are you?: Pehea `oe? [pe'hea 'ʔoe]
Fine, thank you.: Maika`i nō, mahalo. [məi'kʌʔi no: ma'halo]
What is your name?: `O wai kou inoa?
My name is ______.: `O _____ ko'u inoa.
Nice to meet you.: Ua maika'i kō kāua hui 'ana.
Please.: E `olu`olu `oe.
Thank you.: Mahalo.
Thank you very much.: Mahalo nui (loa).
You're welcome.: He mea iki ia.
No problem, You're welcome: `A`ole pilikia.
Yes.: `Ae.
No.: `A`ole.
Excuse me. (getting attention): Hui, ei nei.
Excuse me. (begging pardon): E kala mai.
I'm sorry.: E kala mai ia`u.
Goodbye.: Ā hui hou.
Goodbye. (informal): Aloha.
I can't speak Hawaiian/French/American English/English.: `A`ole au `ōlelo Hawai`i/Palani/haole/Pelekania.
Do you speak Hawai'ian?: `Ōlelo Hawai`i `oe?
Is there someone here who speaks English?: `Olelo Pelekania kekahi?
Help!: Kōkua!
Look out!: E akahele!
Good morning.: Aloha kakahiaka.
Good mid-day.: Aloha awakea.
Good evening.: Aloha ahiahi.
I don't understand.: `A`ole maopopo.
I am from Hilo/Seattle/Japan: No Hilo/Seattle/Kepani mai au.
Where is the toilet?: (Aia) ma hea ka lua?
Where is the restroom?: (Aia) ma hea ka lumi ho`opau pilikia?

Problems[edit]

Don't touch me!: Mai ho`opā mai ia`u! [mʌi hoʔo'pa: mʌi 'jʌʔu]
I'll call the police.: E kāhea māka`i ana au!
Police!: Māka`i!
Stop! Thief!: He`aihue!
I need help.: Kōkua mai ia`u.
It's an emergency.: He ulia pōpilikia kēia.
I'm lost.: Ua nalowale au.
I lost my bag.: Ua nalowale au i ku`u `eke.
I lost my wallet.: Ua nalowale au i ku`u `eke kālā.
I'm sick.: Ua ma`i au.
I'm injured.: Ua `ālina au.
I need a doctor.: E kāhea mai i ke kauka no`u.
Can I use your phone?: Hiki ia`u ke ho`ohana i kou kelepona?

Numbers[edit]

0: `Ole (OH-lay)
1: `Ekahi (ey-KA-hee)
One unit: Ho`okahi, as in ho`okahi minuke, "one minute"
2: `Elua (ey-LOO-ah)
3: `Ekolu (ey-KOH-loo)
4: `Ehā (ey-HAH)
5: `Elima (ey-LEE-ma)
6: `Eono (ey-OH-no)
7: `Ehiku (ey-HEE-koo)
8: `Ewalu (ey-VAH-loo)
9: `Eiwa (ey-EE-vah)
10: `Umi (OO-mee)
11: `Umi kūmākahi (OO-mee KOO-ma-KA-hee) (kūmā is sometime said kumāmā)
12: `Umi kūmālua (OO-mee KOO-ma-LOO-ah)
13: `Umi kūmākolu (OO-mee KOO-ma-KOH-loo)
14: `Umi kūmāhā (OO-mee KOO-ma-HAH)
15: `Umi kūmālima (OO-mee KOO-ma-LEE-ma)
16: `Umi kūmāono (OO-mee KOO-ma-OH-no)
17: `Umi kūmāhiku (OO-mee KOO-ma-HEE-koo)
18: `Umi kūmāwalu (OO-mee KOO-ma-VAH-loo)
19: `Umi kūmāiwa (OO-mee KOO-ma-EE-vah)
20: Iwakālua (ee-vah-KA-loo-ah)
21: Iwakālua kūmākahi (ee-vah-KA-loo-ah KOO-ma-KA-hee)
22: Iwakālua kūmālua (ee-vah-KA-loo-ah KOO-ma-LOO-ah)
23: Iwakālua kūmākolu (ee-vah-KA-loo-ah KOO-ma-KOH-loo)
24: Iwakālua kūmāhā (ee-vah-KA-loo-ah KOO-ma-HA)
25: Iwakālua kūmālima (ee-vah-KA-loo-ah KOO-ma-LEE-ma)
30: Kanakolu (ka-na-KOH-loo)
40: Kanahā (ka-na-HA)
50: Kanalima (ka-na-LEE-ma)
60: Kanaono (ka-na-OH-no)
70: Kanahiku (ka-na-HEE-koo)
80: Kanawalu (ka-na-VAH-loo)
90: Kanaiwa (ka-na-EE-vah)
100: Ho`okahi haneli (ha-NAY-lee) or hanele
200: `Elua haneli (ey-LOO-ah ha-NAY-lee)
300: `Ekolu haneli (ey-KOH-loo ha-NAY-lee)
500: `Elima haneli (ey-LEE-ma ha-NAY-lee)
1000: Ho`okahi kaukani (kow-KAH-nee)
2000: `Elua kaukani (ey-LOO-ah kow-KAH-nee)
1,000,000: Ho`okahi miliona (mee-lee-OH-na)
1,000,000,000: Ho`okahi biliona (bee-lee-OH-na) or piliona
Half: Hapalua (ha-pa-LOO-ah)

Time[edit]

now: i kēia manawa
after: mahope
before: mamua
between: mawaena
morning: kakahiaka
midmorning: awakea
afternoon: `auinalā
evening: ahiahi
midnight: aumoe
first light of dawn: (ke) alaula
night: pō

Clock time[edit]

one o'clock AM: hola `ekahi AM (HO-la ey-KA-hee AH-moo)
two o'clock AM: hola `elua AM (HO-la ey-LOO-ah AH-moo)
ten o'clock AM: hola 'umi AM (HO-la OO-mee AH-moo)
noon: awakea (ah-vah-KAY-ah)
one o'clock PM: hola 'ekahi PM (HO-la ey-KA-hee PEE-moo)
two o'clock PM: hola 'elua PM (HO-la ey-LOO-ah PEE-moo)
ten o'clock PM: hola 'umi PM (HO-la OO-mee PEE-moo)
It's one o'clock PM: `O ka hola `ekahi PM kēia.
It's one-thirty PM: Hapalua (ka) hola `ekahi PM kēia.
It's one-forty-five PM: Hapahā i koe kani ka hola `elua PM. (Lit. "A quarter hour before 2 PM sounds.")
It's two o'clock PM: Hapahā (ka) hola `elua PM.

Duration[edit]

minute: minuke (mee-NOO-kay)
hour(s): hola (HO-la)
day(s): lā (LA)
week(s): pule (POO-lay)
month(s): mahina (ma-HEE-na) or malama
year(s): makahiki (ma-ka-HEE-kee)

Days[edit]

today: i kēia lā (ee KAY-ee-ah LA)
yesterday: nehinei (nay-HEE-nay-ee)
tomorrow: `apōpō (ah-PO-po)
this week: i kēia pule (KAY-ee-ah POO-lay)
last week: i kēlā pule aku nei
next week: i kēia pule a`e
Monday: Pō`akahi (po-ah-KA-hee) (Lit. "First night")
Tuesday: Pō`alua (po-ah-LOO-ah) (Lit. "Second night")
Wednesday: Pō`akolu (po-ah-KOH-loo) (Lit. "Third night")
Thursday: Pō`ahā (po-ah-HA) (Lit. "Fourth night")
Friday: Pō'alima (po-ah-LEE-ma) (Lit. "Fifth night")
Saturday: Pō'aono (po-ah-OH-no) (Lit. "Sixth night")
Sunday: Lāpule (LA-poo-lay) (Lit. "Day of prayer")

Months[edit]

January: Ianuali (ee-AH-noo-ah-lee)
February: Pepeluali (pay-pay-loo-AH-lee)
March: Malaki (ma-LA-kee)
April: Apelila (ah-pay-LEE-la)
May: Mei (may-EE)
June: Iune (ee-OO-nay)
July: Iulai (ee-OO-ly)
August: `Aukake (ow-KA-kay)
September: Kepakemapa (kay-pah-kay-MA-pa)
October: `Okakopa (oh-ka-KOH-pa)
November: Nowemapa (no-vay-MA-pa)
December: Kekemapa (kay-kay-MA-pa)

Writing Dates[edit]

Dates are written like so: O ka lā (day) kēia o (month) o (year)

This translates in English to "On the (day) day of this (month) of (year)".

Example: To write "June 19, 2007", you would write O ka lā 19 kēia o Iune o 2007.

People[edit]

human: kanaka
peoples: kānaka, as in "the indigenous peoples" nā kānaka māoli
man: kāne
woman: wahine
women: wāhine
children: kamali`i or keiki
boy: keikikāne
girl: kaikamahine
girls: kaikamāhine
old man: `elemakule or makule
old men: `elemākule or mākule
old woman: luahine
old women: luāhine
family: `ohana
married man: kāne male
married woman: wahine male
widower of any age: "kāne wahine make"
old widower: "`elemakule wahine make"
widow of any age: "wahine kāne make"
old widow: "luahine kāne make"

Family[edit]

Parents: Mākua (sg. makua)
Father: Makuakāne
Father: Pā
Mother: Makuahine
Mom: Mā; Son : Keikikāne
Daughter: Kaikamahine
Older sibling of same gender: Kaikua`ana
Young sibling of same gender: Kaikaina
A male's sister: Kaikuahine
A female's brother: Kaikunane
Grandfather: Kupunakāne
Grandpa: Tūtūkāne or Pāpā
Grandmother: Kupunawahine
Grandma: Tūtūwahine or Tūtū

Colors[edit]

Red: `Ula`ula (OO-la-OO-la)
Orange: `Alani (ah-LA-nee)
Yellow: Melemele (MAY-lay-MAY-lay)
Green: `ō`ma`oma`o (OH-ma-oh-ma-oh)
Blue: Polū (po-LOO)
Purple: Poni (PO-nee)
Pink: `Ākala (AH-ka-la)
Black: `Ele`ele (EH-lay-EH-lay)
White: Ke`oke`o (KAY-oh-KAY-oh)
Grey: `Āhinahina (AH-hee-na-hee-na)
Brown: Maku`e/Palaunu (ma-KOO-ey/pa-LA-oo-noo)

Transportation[edit]

car: ka`a (KA-ah)
bus: ka`a `ōhua (KA-ah OH-hoo-ah)
train: ka`aahi (ka-AH-hee)
airplane: mokulele (MO-koo-lay-lay)
bicycle: paikikala (PY-kee-ka-la)
motorcycle: mokokaikala (mo-ko-KY-ka-la)

Bus and train[edit]

How much is a ticket to ________?: `Ehia kālā no ke kikiki i ________?
One ticket to ________, please.: Ho`okahi kikiki i ________, e`olu`olu.
Where does this train/bus go?: I hea ana kēia ka`a `ōhua/ka`aahi (e hele ai)?

Directions[edit]

Where is ________?: Aia ma hea ________? or Aihea ________? or `Auhea ________?
Show me on the map.: E hō`ike mai ia`u ma ka palapala`āina.
street: alanui (ah-la-NOO-ee)
Turn left.: Huli hema (HOO-lee HAY-ma)
Turn right.: Huli `ākau (HOO-lee AH-kow)
straight ahead: i mua pololei (ee MOO-ah po-lo-LAY)
North: `Ākau (ah-KOW)
South: Hema (HAY-ma)
West: Komohana (KO-mo-HA-na)
East: Hikina (hee-KEE-na)
uphill/upward: i luna (ee LOO-na)
downhill/downward: i lalo (ee LA-lo)
intersection/street corner: huina (hoo-EE-na)
going toward the sea: i kai
located nearer to the sea than the speaker: makai
going toward the mountains: i uka
located nearer to the mountains than the speaker: mauka
going between: i waena
located between: ma waena

Taxi[edit]

Taxi!: Ka`a ho`olimalima!
I want/need a taxi.: Makemake au i kekahi (ka`a) ho`olimalima.
Take me to _________ please.: E lawe mai ia`u i _________, e `olu`olu.
How much does it cost to go _________?: `Ehia kālā e hele aku i _________?
Leave me there, please.: E waiho mai ia`u i laila, `olu`olu.
Leave me here, please.: E waiho mai ia`u ma`ane`i, `olu`olu.

Lodging[edit]

Are there any rooms available?: He lumi hāmama kō kēia hōkele? (Lit. "Does this hotel have an open room?")
How much is the room?: `Ehia kālā o ka lumi?
Does the room come with...: Maloko o ka lumi, aia...
... bedsheets?: hāli`i moe? (HA-lee-ee MO-ey)
... a bathroom?: he lua? (he LOO-ah)
... a telephone?: he kelepona? (he kay-lay-PO-na)
... a TV?: he kīwī? (he kee-vee)
I will stay for ____ nights.: E noho ana au no ____ pō.
Wake me at ________.: E ho`āla mai ia`u ma ka hola ________.
I am checking out.: Ke kāinoa puka nei au.
The water isn't hot.: `A`ole wela ka wai.
The TV/AC is broken.: Ua poloke ke kīwī/ka AC.
Does the hotel have a restaurant?: He hale`ai kō ka hōkele?
Swimming pool: ki`o `au`au

Money[edit]

Do you accept American/Canadian/Australian money?: `Āpono ke kālā `Amelika/Kanaka/`Aukekulelia? (AH-po-no ah-may-LEE-ka/ka-NA-ka/ow-kay-koo-lay-LEE-lee-a KA-la)
Do you accept British pounds?: `Āpono ka paona Pelekane? (AH-po-no pay-lay-KA-nay pa-OH-na)
Do you accept Euros?: `Āpono ke kālā`Eulopa? (AH-po-no EH-oo-LO-pa KA-la)
Do you accept credit cards?: `Āpono kāleka hō`ai`ē? (AH-po-no HO-eye-EY KA-lay-ka)
Can you change money?: Loli kālā `oe? (OH-ey LO-lee KA-la)
Where is an ATM (Automated Teller Machine)?: `Auhea ka mīkini panakō? (ow-HAY-ah ka MEE-kee-nee pa-na-KOH)
Do you have any money?: He kālā anei kou?
I have some money.: He kālā ko`u.
I have one dollar.: Ho`okahi o`u kālā.
I have a lot of money.: Ua nui ke kālā o`u.
I don't have any money?: `A`ohe o`u kālā.
Do you have small change?: He kenikeni anei kou?
Can you break a hundred?: Hiki ke wāhi kēia haneli no`u?
I spent all my money (on beer).: Pau ku`u kālā (i ka pia).

Eating[edit]

Table, please.: Pākaukau, `olu`olu. (PA-kow-kow, OH-loo-OH-loo)
Menu, please.: Papa kuhikuhi mea `ai, `olu`olu. (PA-pa KOO-hee-KOO-hee MAY-ah EYE, OH-loo-OH-loo)
I'm vegetarian.: He mea `ai mea ulu au.
breakfast: `aina kakahiaka. (EYE-na ka-ka-hee-AH-ka)
lunch: `aina awakea. (EYE-na ah-vah-KAY-ah)
dinner: `aina ahiahi (EYE-na AH-hee-AH-hee)
chicken: moa (MO-ah)
beef: pipi (PEE-pee)
fish: i`a (EE-ah)
pork: pua`a
ham: hame (HA-may)
sausage: na`aukake (NA-ow-KA-kay)
milk: waiū
cheese: waiūpa`a (vy-OO-pa-ah)
butter: waiūpaka
eggs: hua (HOO-ah)
salad: lau`ai (LA-oo eye)
vegetables: mea ulu (MAY-ah OO-loo)
fruit: hua`ai (hay MAY-ah OO-loo ee MAY-ah eye)
pineapple: halakahiki
coconut: niu
papaya: mikana, papaia
apple: apala (a-Pa-la)
plum: palama (pa-LA-ma)
pear: pea
strawberry: `ohelopapa
grape: huawaina
mushrooms: kūkaelio
burger: hamapuka (ha-ma-POO-ka)
pizza: pai pika (PIE PEE-ka)
French fries: `uala palai palani (MOW oo-ah-la pa-LY pa-LA-nee)
bread: palaoa (pa-la-OH-ah)
toast: palaoa ho`opāpa`a (pa-la-OH-ah HO-oh-PA-pa-ah)
noodles: nulu (NOO-loo)
rice: laiki (LY-kee)
beans: pāpapa (PA-pa-pa)
coffee: kope (KO-pay)
tea: kī (KEE)
water: wai (VY)
juice: wai hua`ai
beer: pia (PEE-ah)
wine: waina (WY-nah)
salt: pa`akai (pa-ah-KY)
black pepper: pepa (PAY-pah)
Waiter: Kuene! (koo-AY-nay)
Waiter!: E ke kuene!
Check, please.: Pila kīko`o, `olu`olu. (PEE-la KEE-ko-oh, OH-loo-OH-loo)
Knife: Pahi (he PA-hee)
Fork: `ō(he OH)
Spoon: Puna (POO-na)
Plate: Pā (PAH)
Cup: kī`aha
Mug: kī`aha mānoanoa (he KEE a-ha MAH-no-a-no-a)

Clothes[edit]

Shirt
Pālule (PAH-loo-le)

T-shirt
Pale`ili (PA-le EE-lee) (also "tank top")

Checkered Shirt (especially as worn by paniolo cowboys)
Palaka (Lit. "blocks")

Jacket
Iākeke (YAH-ke-ke)

Trousers
Lole wāwae lō `ihi (he LO-le VAH-vy LOH EE-hee)

Shorts

Lole wāwae pōkole (LO-le VAH-vy POH-ko-le)

Skirt
Palekoki (PA-le-KO-kee)

Dress
Lole wahine (LO-le va-HEE-ne)

Long-train Dress (especially used to dance hula `auana)
Holokū

Shoes
Kāma`a (KAH-ma-ah)

Socks
Kākini (KAH-kee-nee)

Hat
Pāpale (PAH-pa-le)

Belt
`Ili kuapo (EE-lee KWA-po)

Tie
Lei `ā`ī`lō`ihi (LAY AH-EE-LOH-EE-hee

Countries[edit]

Bars[edit]

Do you serve alcohol?: Lawelawe lama ma`ane`i?
There are two in our party.: `Elua o māua nui.
A beer/two beers, please.: Ho`okahi/`elua pia, e `olu`olu.
A glass of red/white wine, please.: Ho`okahi kīʻaha waina `ula/ke`o, e `olu`olu.
A bottle, please.: He `ōmole, e `olu`olu `oe.
alcohol of any kind: lama (Lit. "rum")
whiskey: wekekē or waikekē
rum: lama
vodka: lama lukia
water: wai
club soda: kolowaka
tonic water: kolowaka ho`oikaika
orange juice: wai `alani
Coke or any kind of soda: koka
Do you have any bar snacks?: He pūpū kō `oukou?
One more, please.: Ho`okahi a`e, e `olu`olu `oe.
When is closing time?: `O ka hola `ehia ka pani puka?
Cheers!: `Okole maluna! (Lit. "Bottom up!")

Shopping[edit]

How much is this?: `Ehia kālā kēia?
That's too expensive.: Pipi`i loa.
cheap: Emi
I can't afford it.: `A`ole hiki ia`u ke kū`ai mai. (Lit. "I can't buy it.")
I don't want it.: `A`ole mamake.
You're cheating me.: `Āpuka `oe mai ia`u.
OK, I'll take it.: Maika`i, na`u e kū`ai.
Can I have a bag?: Makemake au i kekahi `eke. (Lit. "I want a bag.")
Do you ship (overseas)?: Ho`ouna waiwai anei `oukou (i ka `āina `ē)?
I need...: Makemake au i...
...toothpaste.: ...ka pauka niho.
...a toothbrush.: ...ka palaki niho.
...tampons.: ...ke pani wai `ula.
...soap.: ...ke kopa.
...shampoo.: ...ka mea holoi lauoho.
...pain reliever. (e.g., aspirin or ibuprofen): ...ka mea ho`ēmi `eha.
...cold medicine.: ...ka mea lapa`au ho`opau anu.
...stomach medicine.: ...ka mea ho`opau `eha o ka `ōpū.
...a razor.: ...ka pahi `umi`umi.
...an umbrella.: ...ka māmalu.
...sunblock lotion.: ...ka `aila pale lā.
...a postcard.: ...ka pepa po`oleka.
...postage stamps.: ...nā po`oleka.
...batteries.: ...nā pākali.
...writing paper.: ...pepa.
...a pen.: ...ka peni.
...English-language books/magazines/newspapers.: ...nā puke/makasina/nūpepa ma ka `ōlelo Pelekania.
...an English-Hawaiian dictionary.: ...ka wehewehe Pelekane-Hawai`i.

Driving[edit]

I want to rent a car.: Makemake au e ho`olimalima ka`a.
Can I get insurance?: Makemake au i ka `inikua uila.
stop (on a street sign): Ho`okū
stop sign: Hō`ailona ho`okū
yield: Ku`u ala
speed limit: palena māmā holo
gas (petrol) station: hale kakalina
gas/petrol: kakalina

Authority[edit]

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