mea lanakila
The Hawaiian word for winner is mea lanakila.
mea lanakila refers to someone who has won or someone who often wins.
Meaning: one who has won or often wins (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of mea, meaning 'thing' or 'person' and lanakila, meaning 'victorious' or 'to win', literally translating to 'person/thing victorious'.
Did you know?
- In the Hawaiian language, the word mea can refer to either a person or an inanimate object, meaning mea lanakila can describe both a champion athlete and a winning lottery ticket.
- The word lanakila for 'victorious' traces its roots back to the term for a 'chief of secondary status' in Proto-Polynesian.
- The word lanakila is used not just for competitions, but also to describe a 'victory' in the sense of overcoming a hardship or a struggle.
Examples in context
- He mea lanakila ʻo ia.He is a winner.
- Huli aku ka mea lanakila.The winner turns around.
Example conversation
Leilani and Koa are discussing a recent sports competition.
- LeilaniHe mea lanakila ʻo Koa.Koa is the winner.
- KoaʻAe, he mea lanakila pono ʻo ia.Yes, he is a true winner.
- LeilaniHiki i Leilani ke hoʻolaha i kēia.Leilani can announce this.
- KoaʻO ia ka mea kūpono.She is the right person.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries lanakila, mea, CC BY-SA 4.0.
