mākeke
The Hawaiian word for market is mākeke.
The term refers to a gathering for trading.
Meaning: gathering for trading (noun)
Which one should you use?
While mākeke is the common term for a market, halekūʻai is used to describe a formal market or a place of commerce and trading.
Did you know?
- The word mākeke is a loanword derived from the English word 'market'.
- In traditional Hawaiian culture, trading occurred through a system of reciprocity and gift exchange rather than a 'market' in the Western sense.
- While mākeke refers to the event or place, the action of trading is often described using the word kūʻai, which means both to buy and to sell.
Examples in context
- E hele kākou i ka halekūʻai.Let's go to the market.
- He halekūʻai maikaʻi kēia.This is a good market.
- Hele i ka mākeke.Go to the market.
- Ua piha ka mākeke i ka meaʻai.The market is full of food.
Example conversation
Kiana and Koa are planning their morning errands.
- KianaE hele mai i ka mākeke, e Koa.Come to the market, Koa.
- KoaHe aha kāu e kī i ka mākeke?What are you buying at the market?
- KianaE kī au i nā huaʻai.I will buy some fruit.
- KoaʻAe, e hele kākou.Yes, let's go.
