ʻōlelo
/ʔoːˈle.lo/
The Hawaiian word for 'talk' is ʻōlelo.
ʻōlelo is used to describe the act of communicating using spoken words. It can also refer more broadly to a specific language or a single word.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word ʻōlelo is versatile and can function as both a verb, meaning 'to speak' and a noun, meaning 'language' or 'word'.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has 3 syllables, with the stress on the second syllable: /ʔoːˈle.lo/.
When do people say it?
The concept of 'talking things out' is central to the practice of hoʻoponopono, which involves resolving conflicts through open and honest communication.
Did you know?
- The word ʻōlelo is closely related to the word for 'tongue' in other languages like Tagalog and Malay. This reflects an ancient linguistic link across the wider Malayo-Polynesian family.
- The first sound in ʻōlelo is a glottal stop, represented by the symbol ʻ. It is a full consonant sound produced by a quick closure of the vocal cords, similar to the catch in the middle of 'uh-oh'.
- In traditional Hawaiian culture, the act of ʻōlelo was often used to preserve history, as the society relied on oral tradition and chanting rather than a written alphabet.
Examples in context
- Hiki iā ʻoe ke ʻōlelo Hawaiian?Can you speak Hawaiian?
Example conversation
Two friends meet at a park.
- KaiAloha Malia, hiki iā kāua ke ʻōlelo?Hello Malia, can we talk?
- MaliaʻAe Kai, he aha kāu e ʻōlelo ai?Yes Kai, what do you want to talk about?
- KaiE pili ana i ka lāʻau.About the tree.
- MaliaʻOia mau, e ʻōlelo mai.Of course, tell me.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry ʻōlelo, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ʻōlelo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
