e komo mai i ka hale
The Hawaiian phrase for "welcome home" is e komo mai i ka hale.
Meaning: welcome home (phrase)
What does it mean word for word?
Literally, the phrase means "come in (imperative) to the house".
Did you know?
- The word hale descends from the Proto-Malayo-Polynesian balay, which is still found in various forms across Southeast Asia.
- In Hawaiian culture, the concept of komo involves more than physical entry, as it often relates to the spiritual act of entering a new space or state of being.
- In traditional Hawaiian architecture, the hale was often divided by function, such as a hale mua for men and a hale noa for guests.
Examples in context
- E komo mai i ka hale, e kuʻu hoa.Welcome home, my friend.
Example conversation
Keanu arrives at the front door of their house.
- LeilaniAloha Keanu, e komo mai i ka hale!Hello Keanu, welcome home!
- KeanuMahalo, Leilani.Thank you, Leilani.
- LeilaniPehea kou lā?How was your day?
- KeanuUmiaka ka lā, mahalo.The day was long, thank you.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries hale, ka, komo, mai, CC BY-SA 4.0.
