håfa adai
håfa adai is the Chamorro phrase used to say hello and goodbye.
This phrase serves as a general greeting that can be used both when arriving to see someone and when departing.
Did you know?
- While it functions as a greeting, the literal word-for-word translation of håfa adai is 'what is it' or 'what is it?'
- The phrase is so deeply ingrained in the culture of the Mariana Islands that it is often used as a verbal nod to confirm one has heard or understood a statement, much like the English 'okay'.
- Chamorro is an Austronesian language, meaning håfa adai shares a very distant ancestral root with languages spoken in the Philippines and Indonesia.
Example conversation
Elena meets Jose at a local market.
- ElenaHåfa adai, Jose!Hello, Jose!
- JoseHåfa adai, Elena!Hello, Elena!
- ElenaI have to go now.I have to go now.
- JoseHåfa adai, see you later!Goodbye, see you later!
