Cooking & Markets

1. Aia i hea ke mākeke kūloko?

   A-ia i he-a ke mā-ke-ke kū-lo-ko?

   Where is the local market?

   Usage

   Used when looking for fresh local produce

   Grammar Note

   "Aia i hea ~?" is the Hawaiian way to ask where something is located

2. He aha ka inoa o kēia mea ʻai?

   He a-ha ka i-no-a o kē-ia me-a ʻai?

   What is this ingredient called?

   Usage

   Used to ask the name of an unfamiliar ingredient

   Grammar Note

   "He aha ~?" is the Hawaiian interrogative meaning "what is ~?"

3. He nui ka ʻōʻiliʻili o kēia mea ʻai?

   He nu-i ka ʻō-ʻi-li-ʻi-li o kē-ia me-a ʻai?

   Is this dish very spicy?

   Usage

   Used to check whether a dish is very spicy

   Grammar Note

   "He nui" means "very/much" in Hawaiian

4. Hiki iā ʻoe ke kuhikuhi i kahi papa kuke?

   Hi-ki i-ā ʻo-e ke ku-hi-ku-hi i ka-hi pa-pa ku-ke?

   Can you recommend a cooking class?

   Usage

   Used when seeking a cooking class recommendation

   Grammar Note

   "Hiki ia oe ke ~?" asks for ability or permission: "can you ~?"

5. Pehea e hana ʻia ai kēia mea ʻai?

   Pe-he-a e ha-na ʻia ai kē-ia me-a ʻai?

   How do you prepare this dish?

   Usage

   Used to ask how to prepare a dish

   Grammar Note

   "Pehea" is the Hawaiian interrogative adverb meaning "how"

6. Ma hea au e kūʻai ai i nā mea kanu hou?

   Ma he-a au e kū-ʻai ai i nā me-a ka-nu hou?

   Where can I buy fresh vegetables?

   Usage

   Used to find where to buy fresh produce

   Grammar Note

   "Ma hea au e ~?" means "where can I ~?" in Hawaiian

7. Makemake au e aʻo i ke kuke ʻana i ka meaʻai kūloko.

   Ma-ke-ma-ke au e a-ʻo i ke ku-ke ʻa-na i ka me-a-ʻai kū-lo-ko.

   I'd like to learn to cook local food.

   Usage

   Expresses interest in learning local cuisine

   Grammar Note

   "Makemake au" expresses desire in Hawaiian

8. He mau mea ʻai no ka poʻe ʻai ʻole ʻiʻo?

   He mau me-a ʻai no ka po-ʻe ʻai ʻo-le ʻi-ʻo?

   Do you have vegetarian ingredients?

   Usage

   Used when looking for vegetarian-friendly ingredients

   Grammar Note

   In Hawaiian, "ʻole" marks negation. "ʻai ʻole ʻiʻo" means "not eating meat"

9. He aha nā ʻano hua ʻala i hoʻohana ʻia ma kēia mea ʻai?

   He a-ha nā ʻa-no hu-a ʻa-la i ho-ʻo-ha-na ʻia ma kē-ia me-a ʻai?

   What spices are used in this dish?

   Usage

   Used to inquire about spices in a dish

   Grammar Note

   "hoʻohana ʻia" is the passive form meaning "is used"

10. Hiki iaʻu ke hoʻāʻo i kekahi māhele?

    Hi-ki ia-ʻu ke ho-ʻā-ʻo i ke-ka-hi mā-he-le?

    Can I try a sample?

    Usage

    Used at markets or food shops to request a taste

    Grammar Note

    "Hiki iau ke ~?" asks for first-person ability or permission

11. Ka ʻakaʻakai

    Onion

    Usage

    When asking for no onion, or at a market

12. Ka ʻakaʻakai pilau

    Garlic

    Usage

    When asking for no garlic, or at a market

13. Ka nīoi

    Chilli pepper

    Usage

    To check for chilli, or at a market

14. Ka ʻawapuhi pake

    Ginger

    Usage

    Culinary ginger; ʻawapuhi alone also covers ornamental gingers

15. Ka wīneka

    Vinegar

    Usage

    To check whether vinegar is used

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