koʻu inoa
/ˈko.ʔu iˈno.a/word by word
The Hawaiian phrase for "my name" is koʻu inoa.
This phrase is used to identify the name that belongs to the person speaking.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the possessive pronoun koʻu (my) and the noun inoa (name).
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈko.ʔu iˈno.a/. The first of the four syllables is stressed.
Did you know?
- Historically, Hawaiian children were often given a new inoa during their lifetime to mark a significant change in their social status or a spiritual rebirth.
- Certain inoa were considered so powerful that they were kept secret or used only in specific ritual contexts to protect the person from spiritual harm.
- The glottal stop represented by the ʻokina in koʻu is a full consonant, meaning that omitting it would change the sound and potentially the meaning of the word.
Examples in context
- He aha koʻu inoa?What is my name?
- Ua hoʻopuka koʻu inoa.My name was announced.
Example conversation
Kiana and Keanu are meeting for the first time at a party.
- KianaAloha, koʻu inoa ʻo Kiana.Hello, my name is Kiana.
- KeanuAloha Kiana, koʻu inoa ʻo Keanu.Hello Kiana, my name is Keanu.
- KianaHauʻoli kēia me ʻoe, Keanu.It is a pleasure to meet you, Keanu.
- KeanuHauʻoli nō kēia me ʻoe.It is a pleasure to meet you too.
