koʻu ʻohana
/ˈko.ʔu ʔoˈha.na/word by word
In Hawaiian, the phrase for "my family" is koʻu ʻohana.
The phrase koʻu ʻohana is used to refer to the group of people related to the speaker. Common family members you might mention include Makuahine (mother), Makua Kāne (father), Makua (parents), Kāne (husband), Wahine (wife), ʻAnakē (aunt), ʻAnakala (uncle) and Keiki (child or children).
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the possessive pronoun koʻu (my) and the noun ʻohana (family).
How does it change in a sentence?
The word koʻu is the singular possessive pronoun used specifically for things that are intimately related to the speaker, such as family or body parts.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈko.ʔu ʔoˈha.na/. The word has 4 syllables and the stress is on the 1st syllable.
Did you know?
- The word ʻohana can be traced back to the structure of a taro plant. It is related to the term ʻohā, which refers to a taro corm growing from an older root, symbolizing growth and lineage.
- In Hawaiian culture, ʻohana extends far beyond blood relatives to include adopted members and close friends.
- The term makua for 'parents' is derived from words meaning 'elder' or 'mature', rather than a specific biological term for procreation.
Examples in context
- Makemake au e hele i ʻAukekulelia me koʻu ʻohana.I want to go to Australia with my family.This sentence uses koʻu ʻohana to express a desire to travel to Australia with one's family.Tatoeba #3084167 by Objectivesea, translation #498452 by adjusting
- Aloha mai koʻu ʻohana iā ʻoe.My family greets you.
Example conversation
Kiana and Kai are talking about their relatives.
- KianaʻO ia koʻu ʻohana.That is my family.
- KaiHe mau kumu kula lā lāu?Are they teachers?
- KianaʻAe, he mau kumu lā.Yes, they are teachers.
- KaiMaikaʻi kēlā!That is great!
Sources
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (koʻu, ʻohana) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ʻohana, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
