pua nānā lā
The Hawaiian word for sunflower is pua nānā lā.
Meaning: flower (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is a combination of three words: pua (flower), nānā (to look or watch) and lā (sun), literally meaning 'flower looking at the sun'.
Did you know?
- The word lā in pua nānā lā is related to the word for 'sail' in Malay layar and Tagalog layag.
- In Hawaiian culture, pua is often used as a poetic metaphor for children or beloved people, not just botanical flowers.
- Because sunflowers are not native to Hawaii, the name pua nānā lā is a descriptive loan-translation based on the plant's behavior rather than an ancient name.
Examples in context
- He pua nānā lā kēia.This is a sunflower.
Example conversation
Keanu and Malia are looking at a garden.
- KeanuHe pua nānā lā kēlā?Is that a sunflower?
- MaliaʻAe, he pua nānā lā kēlā.Yes, that is a sunflower.
- KeanuHe nani loa ia.It is very beautiful.
- MaliaʻAe, nani loa ia.Yes, it is very beautiful.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries lā, nānā, pua, CC BY-SA 4.0.
