Aloha, pehea ʻoe?
The English phrase "hello how are you" is translated into Hawaiian as Aloha, pehea ʻoe?
This phrase is a common greeting used to say hello and ask about a person's well-being.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of Aloha (hello/love/affection), pehea (how) and ʻoe (you, singular).
How does it change in a sentence?
To change the question from addressing one person to addressing a group, replace the singular pronoun ʻoe with the plural ʻoukou.
When do people say it?
A common and polite way to respond to this greeting is Maikaʻi loa, mahalo (Very good, thank you).
Did you know?
- While Aloha is used as a greeting, it functions as a philosophical concept representing peace, compassion and coordination with others.
- The origins of the word Aloha are linked to the ancient action of 'beckoning' or 'waving'.
- The word Aloha is used both when arriving to say 'hello' and when departing to say 'goodbye'.
Examples in context
- Aloha, pehea ʻoe?Hello, how are you?
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Aloha, aloha, pehea, ʻoe, CC BY-SA 4.0.
