Hauʻoli Lā Hana
/hau̯ˈʔo.li ˈlaː ˈha.na/word by word
Hauʻoli Lā Hana is the Hawaiian way to say happy labor day.
This phrase is used as a greeting to wish someone a happy Labor Day holiday.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of hauʻoli (happy), lā (day) and hana (work/labor).
How do you pronounce it?
The phrase has 6 syllables. The stress is on the second syllable: /hau̯ˈʔo.li ˈlaː ˈha.na/.
Did you know?
- The word lā used for 'day' shares a distant ancestral root with the Malay word layar, which means 'sail'.
- In Hawaiian culture, the concept of hana extends beyond paid labor to include any purposeful activity or effort.
- The phrase Hauʻoli Lā Hana utilizes the ʻokina, the glottal stop represented by the symbol ʻ, which functions as a full consonant in the Hawaiian alphabet.
Examples in context
- Hauʻoli Lā Hana iā ʻoe.Happy Labor Day to you.
- Hauʻoli Lā Hana iā kākou!Happy Labor Day to us all!
Example conversation
Kai and Kiana meet at a weekend barbecue.
- KaiAloha, Kiana! Hauʻoli Lā Hana!Hello, Kiana! Happy Labor Day!
- KianaMahalo, Kai! Hauʻoli Lā Hana iā ʻoe pū.Thank you, Kai! Happy Labor Day to you too.
- KaiKe hoʻomaha nei ʻoe?Are you relaxing?
- KianaʻAe, e hoʻomaha ana au i kēia lā.Yes, I am relaxing today.
