kākoʻo
/kaːˈko.ʔo/
The English verb "support" can be translated into Hawaiian as kākoʻo or hāpai.
Meaning: to back a cause, party, etc., mentally or with concrete aid (verb)
Ways to say it
| Hawaiian | IPA |
|---|---|
| kākoʻo | /kaːˈko.ʔo/ |
| hāpai | /haːˈpai̯/ |
The term for support depends on whether the assistance is abstract or physical.
Which one should you use?
Use kākoʻo when the support is abstract, such as supporting a person, a cause or an idea. Use hāpai when the support involves physical lifting, carrying or providing material assistance.
How do you pronounce it?
The word kākoʻo has 3 syllables and the stress is on the 2 of 3 syllable. The IPA is /kaːˈko.ʔo/.
Did you know?
- While hāpai involves the physical act of lifting, it can also imply raising one's status or prestige in certain cultural contexts.
- The word koʻo within kākoʻo refers to a structural brace, meaning the word for abstract support is rooted in the literal stability of building or bracing.
- The glottal stop represented by the ʻokina in kākoʻo is essential for the word's meaning and rhythm, acting as a distinct consonant rather than just a pause.
Examples in context
- E kākoʻo aku au i kēia kauhale.I will support this village.
- He mea pono ka kākoʻo ʻana i ka ʻohana.Supporting the family is important.
- E kākoʻo ana māua i ka hana hou.We are supporting the new project.
Example conversation
Koa and Kiana are talking about a local community election.
- KoaHe aha kāu manaʻo e pili ana i kēia koho?What is your opinion about this election?
- KianaE kākoʻo au i ka mea i loaʻa nā kōkua.I will support the one who got the help.
- KoaKākoʻo pū au i kēlā kanaka.I support that person too.
- KianaMaikaʻi, e hui pū kākou.Good, let us join together.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “support” translations and entries kākoʻo, hāpai, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries kākoʻo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
