Aloha! If you find yourself in the beautiful islands of Hawaii and want to know how to say the date in the Hawaiian language, you’ve come to the right place. Whether you’re looking for the formal or informal way, we’ve got you covered. In this guide, we’ll explore the different ways to express the date and provide you with plenty of tips and examples along the way. So, let’s dive in!
Table of Contents
Formal Ways to Say the Date
When it comes to formal occasions or more professional settings, using the appropriate language to convey the date is essential. Here are some phrases you can use:
- Ke kalā: This is the formal way to say “the date” in Hawaiian. Ke means “the” and kalā means “date.”
- No ka hoʻokahua ʻana o ka poʻe kahiko: This phrase is used to indicate the date based on the Hawaiian lunar calendar. It signifies the date in terms of the moon phase and can be useful when referring to traditional Hawaiian events and celebrations.
When expressing the actual date in a formal setting, you combine the word for “the” (ke) with the number representing the day, the month, and the year. Here’s an example:
Ke kalā ‘ekahi o ʻApelila 2022
(The first day of April 2022)
In this example, ‘ekahi means “one,” ʻApelila translates to “April,” and 2022 is the Western calendar year.
Informal Ways to Say the Date
Informal situations provide a more relaxed atmosphere, allowing for simpler expressions of the date. Here are some informal ways to express the date:
- Ma ka lā: This is the casual way to say “the date” in Hawaiian, perfect for everyday conversations.
- Ma ka pōʻakolu o ka pule: If you want to say “Wednesday,” rather than using the English term, you can use this phrase which means “the third day of the week.”
When it comes to expressing the actual date in an informal setting, you can use a combination of numbers and Hawaiian month names. Here’s an example:
Ma ka lā ‘ekolu o Mei
(On the third day of May)
In this example, ‘ekolu means “three” and Mei represents the month of May.
Regional Variations
While the Hawaiian language is spoken throughout the Hawaiian Islands, it’s important to note that there may be slight regional variations in how people express the date. These variations can include accents, pronunciation differences, or even alternative phrases. However, rest assured that the examples provided here will be widely understood by locals and visitors alike.
Tips for Saying the Date in Hawaiian
Here are a few tips to help you when it comes to saying the date in Hawaiian:
- Practice the pronunciation of Hawaiian words and numbers. Familiarize yourself with the unique sounds and syllables.
- When using Western calendar years, you can simply state the number, as we did in previous examples.
- If you want to specify a particular day of the week, you can use phrases like “the second day of the week” or “the last day of the week.”
- Keep in mind that the Hawaiian language operates on a different calendar system, the lunar calendar. This might be useful to know, especially while participating in traditional events or discussing historical dates.
- When in doubt, don’t hesitate to ask a local for guidance. Hawaiians are proud of their language and culture and will appreciate your interest.
Remember, learning a few basic phrases and attempting to speak Hawaiian can go a long way in connecting with the local community and immersing yourself in the rich culture of the islands.
We hope this guide has been helpful to you in understanding how to say the date in Hawaiian, both formally and informally. Now you’re ready to confidently converse about dates while enjoying your time in the beautiful Hawaiian Islands.
A hui hou!
