Public Transport

1. ʻO ke kaʻa ʻōhua hea e hele ana i waena o ke kūlanakauhale?

   ʻO ke ka-ʻa ʻō-hu-a he-a e he-le a-na i wae-na o ke kū-la-na-kau-ha-le?

   Which bus goes to the city center?

   Usage

   Used at a bus stop to find the correct bus to the city center

   Grammar Note

   Hawaiian uses VSO word order. "e ... ana" marks the progressive aspect

2. ʻEhia kūna kaʻa ʻōhua a hiki i [wahi]?

   ʻE-hia kū-na ka-ʻa ʻō-hu-a a hi-ki i [wa-hi]?

   How many stops to [destination]?

   Usage

   Used to ask how many stops to the destination

   Grammar Note

   "ʻehia" is the Hawaiian question word for quantity

3. E ʻoluʻolu, e hoʻoiho iaʻu ma ʻaneʻi.

   E ʻo-lu-ʻo-lu, e ho-ʻo-i-ho ia-ʻu ma ʻa-ne-ʻi.

   Please let me off here.

   Usage

   Used to ask the driver to let you off here

   Grammar Note

   "e ʻoluʻolu" means "be kind/gentle" — a polite request prefix in Hawaiian

4. Ua lawe ʻia kēia noho?

   U-a la-we ʻia kē-ia no-ho?

   Is this seat taken?

   Usage

   Used to check if a seat is occupied

   Grammar Note

   "ua ... ʻia" forms the passive perfect in Hawaiian

5. ʻO ka hola ʻehia ke kaʻa ʻōhua hope?

   ʻO ka ho-la ʻe-hia ke ka-ʻa ʻō-hu-a ho-pe?

   What time is the last bus?

   Usage

   Used to find out when the last bus departs

   Grammar Note

   "ka hola ʻehia" is the Hawaiian expression for asking what time

6. Ma hea hiki iaʻu ke kūʻai kikiki?

   Ma he-a hi-ki ia-ʻu ke kū-ʻai ki-ki-ki?

   Where can I buy a ticket?

   Usage

   Used to ask where to purchase a transport ticket

   Grammar Note

   "hiki iaʻu ke + verb" is the Hawaiian structure for expressing ability

7. E kū ana kēia kaʻa ʻōhua ma ka mākeke?

   E kū a-na kē-ia ka-ʻa ʻō-hu-a ma ka mā-ke-ke?

   Does this bus stop at the market?

   Usage

   Used to confirm whether the bus stops at the market

   Grammar Note

   "e ... ana" marks ongoing or habitual actions in Hawaiian

8. Ma kēhea kahua e holo ai?

   Ma kē-he-a ka-hu-a e ho-lo ai?

   Which platform does it depart from?

   Usage

   Used at a station to find the departure platform

   Grammar Note

   "ai" is a clause-final particle indicating relative or subordinate relationship

9. He ala pololei anei?

   He a-la po-lo-lei a-nei?

   Is there a direct route?

   Usage

   Used to ask if there is a direct route

   Grammar Note

   "anei" is the Hawaiian question particle for yes/no questions

10. Pehea ka lōʻihi o ka huakaʻi?

    Pe-he-a ka lō-ʻi-hi o ka hu-a-ka-ʻi?

    How long does the journey take?

    Usage

    Used to ask the duration of the journey

    Grammar Note

    "pehea" is the Hawaiian question word meaning "how/in what way"

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