nā hōkū
/ˈnaː hoːˈkuː/word by word
The English phrase stars is nā hōkū in Hawaiian.
nā hōkū refers to the small, bright points of light seen in the night sky.
How does it change in a sentence?
The singular form of the word is hōkū, meaning star. To indicate the plural form, stars, use nā hōkū.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈnaː hoːˈkuː/
Did you know?
- Ancient Hawaiians used hōkū to navigate thousands of miles across the Pacific Ocean without instruments by memorizing the rising and setting points of specific stars.
- In Hawaiian culture, certain hōkū are viewed as ancestors or deities who watch over the islands from the sky.
- The word hōkū can also be used as a name for people, often implying that the person is precious or bright.
Examples in context
- Kilohana keia pō. E nanea kākou i nā hōkū.Tonight is beautiful. Let's relax while watching the stars.
- Ua ʻike ʻia nā hōkū i ka pō.The stars were seen at night.
- Ke ʻike nei au i nā hōkū.I am looking at the stars.
Example conversation
Koa and Leilani are looking at the night sky.
- KoaE nānā i nā hōkū, Leilani!Look at the stars, Leilani!
- LeilaniHe nani loa lākou.They are very beautiful.
- KoaHiki pū ana ke ʻike i ka mahina.The moon can also be seen.
- LeilaniʻAe, he poʻu ka pō.Yes, the night is clear.
