e mālama pono
The Hawaiian phrase for 'be safe' is e mālama pono.
The phrase e mālama pono is used to tell someone to take care of themselves and stay out of danger. It is a common way to express a parting wish, telling someone to stay safe or take good care as they depart.
What does it mean word for word?
Literally, e mālama pono means 'care well' or 'take good care'.
How does it change in a sentence?
The particle e at the start of the phrase marks the expression as an imperative, serving as a command or an instruction.
Did you know?
- The word pono is an Eastern Polynesian innovation and may be distantly related to the Malay word benar, which also means 'true' or 'correct'.
- In Hawaiian culture, mālama can be used as a verb for taking care of people, but it also refers to the stewardship of the land, known as mālama ʻāina.
- The word pono is so central to the culture that it is used in the 'pono' movement, which seeks to restore social justice and traditional Hawaiian rights.
Examples in context
- E mālama pono i kou kino.Take good care of yourself.
Example conversation
Malia is saying goodbye to Koa as he leaves for a long trip.
- MaliaE hele pono ʻoe, Koa.Go well, Koa.
- KoaMahalo, Malia.Thank you, Malia.
- MaliaE mālama pono i kou hele.Be safe on your journey.
- KoaʻAe, e mālama pono nō au.Yes, I will be safe.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries pono, CC BY-SA 4.0.
