pau
In Hawaiian, the phrase "all done" is pau.
The word pau is used to indicate that a task, an event or a period of time has concluded.
How does it change in a sentence?
You can add the word loa to pau to create pau loa, which emphasizes that something is entirely or completely finished.
Did you know?
- Because the language is highly contextual, saying pau while pointing at a candle means the candle has burned out.
- In a Hawaiian household, a child might say pau when they have finished eating their meal, but a parent might use it as a command to tell a child to stop a certain behavior.
- The word pau can also be used to describe someone who is 'finished' in a more slang sense, such as being 'exhausted' or 'defeated'.
Examples in context
- Mahalo! Ua pau!Thank you! All done!
- Ua pau ka hana.The work is finished.
- Pau kēia hana.This task is all done.
- Ua pau ka meaʻai.The food is all finished.
- Pau loa ka hana.The work is completely done.
Example conversation
Malia and Kai are cleaning up after dinner.
- MaliaPau au me ka papa.I am all done with the table.
- KaiMaikaʻi, Malia.Good, Malia.
- MaliaPau pau ʻoe?Are you all done, Kai?
- KaiʻAe, pau au.Yes, I am all done.
