mau ʻōlelo ʻino
The Hawaiian phrase for "bad words" is mau ʻōlelo ʻino.
If you are referring to a single instance of an offensive term, you may use the singular form ʻōlelo ʻino.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of mau (a plural marker), ōlelo (meaning words, speech or language) and ʻino (meaning bad, evil or wicked).
How does it change in a sentence?
To change the phrase from the plural "bad words" to the singular "bad word", drop the plural marker mau to get ʻōlelo ʻino.
Did you know?
- The word ʻōlelo is a linguistic relative of the Tagalog word dila and the Malay word lidah, both of which mean 'tongue'.
- While mau ʻōlelo ʻino describes offensive language, Hawaiian culture historically emphasized 'pono' or balance, meaning that using 'bad words' was often seen as a disruption of spiritual harmony rather than just a social faux pas.
- In traditional Hawaiian settings, the impact of ʻōlelo ʻino was believed to be more powerful if spoken by a person of high rank, as their words carried more spiritual weight.
Examples in context
- He mau ʻōlelo ʻino kēia.These are bad words.
- ʻAʻole pono e ʻōlelo mau ʻōlelo ʻino.One should not say bad words.
- Ua hoʻopaʻi ʻia nā mau ʻōlelo ʻino.The bad words were forbidden.
Example conversation
Leilani is reminding Koa to be polite.
- LeilaniKoa, ʻaʻole wena nā mau ʻōlelo ʻino ma kēia hale.Koa, bad words are not allowed in this house.
- KoaE kala mai, Leilani.I am sorry, Leilani.
- LeilaniE hoʻohana i nā ʻōlelo maikaʻi.Use good words.
- KoaʻAe, e hana au like.Yes, I will do that.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ʻino, ʻōlelo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
