Basic Verbs

1. E hele

   To go

   Usage

   Put a destination next to it and the meaning gets across

   Grammar Note

   These verbs are cited with the imperative particle E; in a sentence they take tense markers such as "ua" or "ke … nei."

2. E hele mai

   To come

   Usage

   For asking someone to come to you, or checking an arrival

3. E ʻai

   To eat

   Usage

   For inviting someone to eat or asking whether something is edible

4. E inu

   To drink

   Usage

   Also used to check whether water is safe to drink

5. E kūʻai

   To buy

   Usage

   States your intent to buy; point at the item as you say it

6. E ʻike

   To see

   Usage

   For asking to be shown something, and for sightseeing talk

7. E kali

   To wait

   Usage

   For arranging to meet, or explaining you are queuing

8. Makemake au e hele

   I want to go

   Usage

   The pattern for telling a taxi or a ticket clerk where you are going

9. Makemake au e ʻai

   I want to eat

   Usage

   Combine it with the name of a dish

10. Makemake au i kēia

    I want it

    Usage

    Point while you say it and the order is complete

11. ʻAʻole pono iaʻu

    I don’t need it

    Usage

    To refuse a bag, an add-on, or a persistent vendor

12. Ke ʻimi nei au

    I’m looking for it

    Usage

    When hunting for a place or an item; show a map or photo

13. Loaʻa iaʻu

    I have it

    Usage

    The answer when asked whether you have something

14. ʻAʻohe aʻu

    I don’t have it

    Usage

    For saying you have no change or no document

15. Makemake au e unuhi kālā

    I’ll withdraw money

    Usage

    States your business at an ATM or bank counter

16. Makemake au e hoʻopaʻa

    I’ll make a reservation

    Usage

    For securing a room, a table, or a tour

17. E kōkua mai iaʻu me kēia

    Please help me with it

    Usage

    For concrete help — carrying a bag, filling in a form

18. E haʻi mai iaʻu

    Please tell me

    Usage

    Opens a request for information: a route, a price, a time

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