pāʻina
/paːˈʔi.na/
In Hawaiian, the English phrase "party" is translated as pāʻina.
The word pāʻina is a general term used for any social gathering, including a birthday party, a luau or a casual get-together.
Meaning: social gathering (noun)
Which one should you use?
While pāʻina is the standard term for a general party, other specific terms exist for different types of gatherings. Hālāwai is used for a formal meeting or organized event, Hoʻolauleʻa refers to a joyous or large celebratory event and Ahaʻāina specifically describes a Hawaiian feast or a party characterized by abundant food and festivities.
How do you pronounce it?
/paːˈʔi.na/. The word has 3 syllables, and the stress is on the 2nd syllable.
Did you know?
- The word pāʻina might be an evolution of a Proto-Polynesian word describing a 'relish' or a side dish eaten with something else.
- In Hawaiian culture, a pāʻina is often defined more by the spirit of 'aloha' and inclusivity than by a formal invitation list.
- The word pāʻina uses an okina, the glottal stop symbol ʻ, which creates a distinct pause in the throat that is essential for the word to be understood.
Examples in context
- E hālāwai kākou i ka pāʻinaLet's gather for the party.
- E hoʻolauleʻa kākou ma ka haleLet's celebrate inside the house.
- E hele mai i kuʻu luʻauCome to my party.
- He nui nā kipa i ka pāʻina.There are many guests at the party.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry pāʻina, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries pāʻina, CC BY-SA 4.0.
