a hui hou
/a ˈhu.i ˈhou̯/word by word
In Hawaiian, the phrase for bye is a hui hou.
Meaning: short for goodbye (intj)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of a (until), hui (to join/meet) and hou (again), literally meaning "until a meeting/joining again".
How do you pronounce it?
/a ˈhu.i ˈhou̯/. The phrase has 4 syllables, and the stress is on the 2nd syllable.
Did you know?
- The word hui evolved from a Proto-Oceanic term meaning 'fruit bunch', suggesting that 'joining' was originally envisioned as a cluster of fruit.
- While a hui hou is used as 'bye', the word hui on its own is often used today to describe a 'club' or a 'cooperative group' in Hawaii.
- Unlike the English 'bye', which is a contraction of 'God be with ye', a hui hou focuses entirely on the future action of the people meeting.
Examples in context
- A hui hou, e kuʻu hoa.Bye, my friend.
- A hui hou i kēia lā.Goodbye for today.
- A hui hou, e keiki.Bye, child.
