Useful Phrases

1. Naʻu i hana i kēia app

   Na-ʻu i ha-na i kē-ia app

   I made this app

   Usage

   Introduce the app in Hawaiian

   Grammar Note

   Hawaiian uses VSO order. "Nā" is an agent preposition meaning "by"

2. Loaʻa wale kēia app

   Lo-a-ʻa wa-le kē-ia app

   This app is free

   Usage

   Explain the app is free

   Grammar Note

   "Wale" means "just/only/free" — used to express something is free of charge

3. E hoʻoiho iā ia

   E ho-ʻo-i-ho i-ā ia

   Please try downloading it

   Usage

   Encourage someone to download the app

   Grammar Note

   "Hoʻo-" (causative prefix) + "iho" (down) = "hoʻoiho" (download)

4. He kanaka Iāpana au

   He ka-na-ka I-ā-pa-na au

   I'm Japanese

   Usage

   Introduce your nationality

   Grammar Note

   "He + noun" is the Hawaiian indefinite predicate construction. "Au" (I) comes last

5. He huakaʻi au

   He hu-a-ka-ʻi au

   I'm a traveler

   Usage

   Identify yourself as a traveler

   Grammar Note

   "Huakaʻi" means both "journey" and "traveler" in Hawaiian

6. Huakaʻi hoʻokahi au

   Hu-a-ka-ʻi ho-ʻo-ka-hi au

   I'm traveling alone

   Usage

   Tell others you are traveling solo

   Grammar Note

   "Hoʻo-" (causative) + "kahi" (one/a place) = "hoʻokahi" (one only/alone)

7. ʻO kēia ka manawa mua

   ʻO kē-ia ka ma-na-wa mu-a

   It's my first time here

   Usage

   Express that this is your first visit

   Grammar Note

   "Manawa" (time) + "mua" (first/before) = "manawa mua" (first time)

8. Hiki iaʻu ke kaʻili kiʻi?

   Hi-ki ia-ʻu ke ka-ʻi-li ki-ʻi?

   May I take a photo?

   Usage

   Ask for permission to take a photo

   Grammar Note

   "Hiki" (can) + "iaʻu" (I/me) = "can I?" — a permission-seeking construction

9. Hiki iā kāua ke kaʻili kiʻi like?

   Hi-ki i-ā kā-u-a ke ka-ʻi-li ki-ʻi li-ke?

   Shall we take a photo together?

   Usage

   Suggest taking a photo together

   Grammar Note

   Hawaiian has dual pronouns. "Kāua" = we two (speaker + listener)

10. E ʻoluʻolu, e heluhelu i ka QR code

    E ʻo-lu-ʻo-lu, e he-lu-he-lu i ka QR code

    Please scan the QR code

    Usage

    Ask someone to scan the QR code

    Grammar Note

    "E ʻoluʻolu" means "please/kindly" in Hawaiian, from "ʻoluʻolu" (pleasant)

11. Mai hoʻopunipuni iaʻu

    Mai ho-ʻo-pu-ni-pu-ni ia-ʻu

    Don't cheat me / Stop ripping me off

    Usage

    Used to protest being cheated or overcharged

    Grammar Note

    "Mai" is the Hawaiian prohibitive particle. "Hoʻopunipuni" = hoʻo- (causative) + punipuni (deception)

12. Mai haʻahaʻa iaʻu

    Mai ha-ʻa-ha-ʻa ia-ʻu

    Don't underestimate me / Don't look down on me

    Usage

    Used when someone underestimates or disrespects you

    Grammar Note

    "Haʻahaʻa" means low/humble in Hawaiian; directed at another person it means to belittle or underestimate

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