hauʻoli e hui pū kāua
The Hawaiian phrase for "nice to meet you" is hauʻoli e hui pū kāua.
This phrase is a polite expression used to convey that you are glad to be meeting someone for the first time.
What does it mean word for word?
Literally, the phrase translates to "happy to meet together the two of us".
Did you know?
- In Hawaiian culture, a meeting is often accompanied by a 'honi', a traditional greeting where two people press their foreheads and noses together.
- The word hui does not just mean to meet, but is rooted in the concept of a 'fruit bunch' or a 'collection'.
- The phrase uses kāua, a specific word for 'two' that only refers to the speaker and the person they are addressing.
Example conversation
Kiana and Ikaika are meeting for the first time at a community gathering.
- KianaAloha, hauʻoli e hui pū kāua.Aloha, nice to meet you.
- IkaikaAloha, hauʻoli nō e hui pū kāua.Aloha, it is very nice to meet you too.
- KianaHe aha kou inoa?What is your name?
- IkaikaʻO Ikaika koʻu inoa.My name is Ikaika.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries hauʻoli, hui, kāua, pū, CC BY-SA 4.0.
