E ʻai kākou
/e ˈʔai̯ kaːˈkou̯/word by word
The English phrase "enjoy your meal" is expressed in Hawaiian as E ʻai kākou.
E ʻai kākou is used as a communal signal to begin eating when a group is gathered together.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to "Let us eat". It uses the particle e for a command/suggestion, ʻai for eat and kākou for "all of us (including the speaker)".
Which one should you use?
Use E ʻai ʻoukou instead of E ʻai kākou if you are a host or server wishing a group of people to eat while you yourself are not participating in the meal.
How do you pronounce it?
/e ˈʔai̯ kaːˈkou̯/
Did you know?
- The word ʻai is a cognate of words used across the entire Austronesian language family, spanning from Madagascar to the islands of the Pacific.
- Because E ʻai kākou is a signal to begin, it often serves as a social 'green light' that prevents guests from eating before the elders or hosts have started.
- The glottal stop in ʻai, represented by the symbol ʻ (okina), is a full consonant. Omitting it changes the sound and meaning of the word entirely.
Example conversation
Noelani and Keanu are sitting down to a homemade dinner.
- NoelaniHe ʻono kēia meaʻai.This food is delicious.
- KeanuʻAe, e ʻai kākou.Yes, let's enjoy our meal.
- NoelaniMahalo loa.Thank you very much.
- KeanuʻAʻole pilikia.No problem.
