aloha au iā ʻoe
The English phrase "I love you" is translated into Hawaiian as aloha au iā ʻoe.
This phrase is used as an affirmation of romantic feeling.
Meaning: affirmation of romantic feeling (phrase)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of aloha (love/affection), au (I), iā (a particle used before a person as an object) and ʻoe (you).
How does it change in a sentence?
In this construction, the verb aloha typically precedes the subject au. Additionally, the particle iā is required before the pronoun ʻoe when you acts as the direct object of the verb.
Did you know?
- The word aloha originally meant 'to beckon' or 'to wave' in the Proto-Austronesian language. It evolved from a physical gesture of greeting into a deep expression of love and affection.
- The expression of love in Hawaiian is often accompanied by a gentle touch or a hug, reflecting the physical 'beckoning' roots of the word aloha.
- In Hawaiian, the word au can mean 'I', but it can also mean a 'current' or 'flow' depending on the context. This is because the word for 'I' and the word for a water 'current' share the same spelling.
Examples in context
- Aloha au iā ʻoe, e kuʻu pili.I love you, my beloved.
Example conversation
Leilani and Ikaika are saying goodbye before work.
- LeilaniE nā kōkua, aloha au iā ʻoe.My dear, I love you.
- IkaikaAloha au iā ʻoe pū, Leilani.I love you too, Leilani.
- LeilaniA hui hou, Ikaika.Until we meet again, Ikaika.
- IkaikaA hui hou!See you later!
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries aloha, au, ʻoe, CC BY-SA 4.0.
