e leʻaleʻa i kou lā
The Hawaiian phrase for "enjoy your day" is e leʻaleʻa i kou lā.
This phrase is used as a friendly wish to tell someone that you hope they have a pleasant experience throughout their day.
What does it mean word for word?
The literal translation is "be joyful in your day". The particle e is used to express a command or a wish, leʻaleʻa means to be joyful or to enjoy, i is a preposition, kou means your and lā means day.
Did you know?
- The phrase uses the 'o-class' possessive kou, which in Hawaiian grammar is used for things the speaker cannot control, like the passing of a 'day'.
- The root of lā is related to ancient words for 'sailing' in the wider Austronesian language family, reflecting the seafaring history of the people.
- Because leʻaleʻa is a reduplicated word, it suggests a state of ongoing or repeating pleasure rather than a single moment of happiness.
Example conversation
Noelani and Koa are saying goodbye after breakfast.
- NoelaniKelepona, e leʻaleʻa i kou lā!Koa, enjoy your day!
- KoaMahalo nui, Noelani.Thank you very much, Noelani.
- NoelaniE hui hou kākou.We will see each other again.
- KoaʻAe, a hui hou!Yes, see you again!
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries kou, leʻaleʻa, lā, CC BY-SA 4.0.
