uʻi ʻoe
/ˈu.ʔi ˈʔo.e/word by word
The phrase "you're beautiful" in Hawaiian is uʻi ʻoe.
This phrase is used as a compliment to tell someone that they are physically attractive.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the adjective uʻi (beautiful) and the pronoun ʻoe (you).
How does it change in a sentence?
In Hawaiian, the copula 'to be' is often omitted in simple adjective-pronoun constructions like this one. To address a group of people instead of one person, replace ʻoe with the plural pronoun ʻoukou, resulting in uʻi ʻoukou.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈu.ʔi ˈʔo.e/. The stress is on the 1 of 4 syllables.
Did you know?
- In traditional Hawaiian culture, beauty was often linked to 'mana', or spiritual power, meaning a person's outward appearance was seen as a reflection of their internal essence.
- The pronoun ʻoe is a cognate of the Māori word koe, showing the deep ancestral link between the languages of Hawaii and New Zealand.
- The glottal stop, represented by the symbol ʻ in uʻi and ʻoe, is a full consonant in Hawaiian and is essential for the word's meaning.
Example conversation
Leilani and Keanu are getting ready for a party.
- LeilaniKeanu, uʻi ʻoe!Keanu, you're beautiful!
- KeanuMahalo, Leilani.Thank you, Leilani.
- LeilaniMakemake au i kou kīkī.I like your shirt.
- KeanuMahalo nui!Thank you very much!
Sources
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (uʻi, ʻoe) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ʻoe, CC BY-SA 4.0.
