ʻo ia nō ia
The Hawaiian phrase for "it is what it is" is ʻo ia nō ia.
ʻo ia nō ia is used to express that a thing has its own inherent nature.
Meaning: this thing has its own nature (phrase)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of ʻo ia (it is), nō (indeed/certainly) and ia (it).
How does it change in a sentence?
The particle nō acts as an intensifier to emphasize the inevitability or the inherent nature of the subject.
When do people say it?
In specific situations, such as when someone spills a drink, others might say Pēlā nō e to mean that accidents happen and it is not a big deal.
Did you know?
- The word ia descends from a root found in Proto-Austronesian, meaning it shares an ancient ancestor with languages spoken as far away as Taiwan and Madagascar.
- The particle nō transforms the phrase from a simple statement of fact into an expression of inevitability.
Examples in context
- ʻO ia nō ia.It is what it is.
- ʻO ia nō ia, ʻaʻole hiki ke loli.It is what it is, it cannot be changed.
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about a rainy day during a planned hike.
- KeanuHe ua nui kēia lā, Keanu.It is raining a lot today, Keanu.
- NoelaniʻO ia nō ia, Noelani.It is what it is, Noelani.
- KeanuE pili kākou i ka hale.Let's just stay in the house.
- NoelaniʻAe, ʻo ia ka mea maikaʻi.Yes, that is the best thing.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ia, CC BY-SA 4.0.
