aloha kakahiaka kākou
/aˈlo.ha ˌka.ka.hiˈa.ka kaːˈkou̯/word by word
aloha kakahiaka kākou is the Hawaiian way to say good morning everyone.
This phrase is used as a greeting to say hello to a group of people in the morning.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of aloha (love/greeting), kakahiaka (morning) and kākou (all of us, including the speaker and the listeners).
How does it change in a sentence?
The word kākou is a first-person inclusive plural pronoun, meaning it refers to a group that includes the person speaking.
How do you pronounce it?
The phrase has 9 syllables. The stress is on the 2nd syllable: /aˈlo.ha ˌka.ka.hiˈa.ka kaːˈkou̯/.
Did you know?
- In traditional Hawaiian culture, the spirit of aloha implies a reciprocal exchange of breath and life between the speaker and the group.
- The word aloha originally meant 'to beckon' or 'to wave', rather than just 'love' or 'hello'.
- The grammatical structure of kākou relies on a system of inclusive and exclusive pronouns that is much more precise than the English 'we'.
Examples in context
- Aloha kakahiaka kākou e nā hoa.Good morning everyone, friends.
Example conversation
Noelani and Kai walk into a small morning meeting.
- NoelaniAloha kakahiaka kākou.Good morning everyone.
- KaiAloha kakahiaka, Noelani.Good morning, Noelani.
- NoelaniPehea ʻoe i kēia kakahiaka, Kai?How are you this morning, Kai?
- KaiMaikaʻi au, mahalo.I am well, thank you.
