lā
/ˈlaː/
The English word "sunshine" is translated into Hawaiian as lā.
lā is used as a noun to refer to the direct rays of the sun or sunshine.
Meaning: direct rays of the sun (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /ˈlaː/.
Did you know?
- While lā refers to the sun or sunshine, it shares an ancient ancestor with the Malay word layar, which means 'sail'.
- In traditional Hawaiian culture, the movements of the lā were essential for the agricultural calendar, particularly for the cultivation of taro.
- The word lā does double duty in Hawaiian, serving as the word for both 'sun' and 'day'.
Examples in context
- Eia ka lamalama o ka lā.Here is the sunshine of the day.
Example conversation
Malia and Ikaika are planning a walk on the beach.
- MaliaHe lā maikaʻi kēia no ke kai.This is a sunshine day for the beach.
- IkaikaʻAe, he wela loa ia.Yes, it is very hot.
- MaliaE lawe i ka pāpale no ka lā.Take a hat for the sunshine.
- IkaikaE hana au i kēlā.I will do that.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry lā, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries lā, CC BY-SA 4.0.
