mea
The Hawaiian word for stuff is mea.
mea is used to refer to miscellaneous items or things. It is a highly versatile term that can also mean a thing, an object or even a person depending on the context.
Meaning: miscellaneous items, things (noun)
Did you know?
- In traditional Hawaiian culture, the concept of a 'thing' mea often encompasses the spiritual essence or 'mana' of the object.
- The word mea descends from the ancient Proto-Malayo-Polynesian root ma-iʀaq, tracing its history back thousands of years across the ocean.
- While 'stuff' in English is often informal, mea is perfectly acceptable in formal Hawaiian speech and literature.
Examples in context
- E hoʻoponopono i nā mea hou.Organize the new stuff.
Example conversation
Kiana and Koa are cleaning up a room together.
- KianaHe aha kēia mea a pau?What is all this stuff?
- KoaHe mea kōku ia, Kiana.That is my stuff, Kiana.
- KianaE haku i nā mea i loko o ka pākō.Put the stuff inside the box.
- KoaʻAe, e hana au i kēia manawa.Yes, I will do it right now.
