How to Say “Can I Go to the Bathroom” in Hawaiian

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Hiki iaʻu ke hele i ka lua?
The Hawaiian phrase for "can I go to the bathroom" is Hiki iaʻu ke hele i ka lua?
This phrase is used as a polite request when you are asking for permission to use the restroom.

Did you know?

  • The word lua in this phrase means 'hole' or 'pit', which is a literal way to refer to the restroom.
  • The word lua is also the number 'two' in Hawaiian, which might cause momentary confusion if you are counting.
  • The word lua traces its roots back to the Proto-Austronesian word duSa, linking Hawaiian bathroom terminology to languages spoken across Southeast Asia.

Example conversation

Noelani is in a classroom with her teacher, Ikaika.

  1. Noelani

    Kumu Ikaika, hiki iaʻu ke hele i ka lua?
    Teacher Ikaika, can I go to the bathroom?
  2. Ikaika

    ʻAe, Noelani, hiki ʻoe.
    Yes, Noelani, you can.
  3. Noelani

    Mahalo nui, Kumu.
    Thank you very much, Teacher.
  4. Ikaika

    ʻAʻole pilikia.
    No problem.

Sources

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Deborah Dorothy
Deborah DorothyHelp make this guide better. Spot a mistake, know another way to say it, or have an example from real life? Share it below.
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