hapa
/apa/from spelling rules
The Spanish phrase hapa refers to a person of mixed native Hawaiian and Asian ancestry.
Note that in Mexico, the colloquial term chino is sometimes used to refer to anyone who appears to have Asian features, even if they do not have actual Chinese ancestry.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Argentina, people often use the phrase mestizo to refer to someone of mixed race or background.
How do you pronounce it?
/apa/
Did you know?
- While hapa is a specific loanword in Spanish for Hawaiian mixes, the broader Spanish concept of mixed heritage is often captured by mestizaje, a term that describes the historical process of racial blending in the Americas.
- In most Spanish-speaking countries, using a term like hapa would be perceived as a reference to Hawaii rather than a description of a person's ethnicity.
Examples in context
- Él es hapa por parte de su madre.He is hapa on his mother's side.
- Mi primo es hapa y vive en Hawái.My cousin is hapa and lives in Hawaii.
- Muchos jóvenes en la isla son hapa.Many young people on the island are hapa.
Example conversation
Mateo and María are talking about their friend's heritage.
- Mateo¿Sabes de dónde es nuestro amigo?Do you know where our friend is from?
- MaríaSí, él es hapa.Yes, he is hapa.
- MateoNo sabía que era hapa.I didn't know he was hapa.
- MaríaSí, tiene ascendencia hawaiana y asiática.Yes, he has Hawaiian and Asian ancestry.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
