Ka Papa `Ôlelo
The first-year Hawaiian language student, on the college level, is expected to master this vocabulary list. A familiarity with these words is a confidence-builder, giving the serious student a tremendous headstart in the language.
Please reload this site from time to time, as I am collecting "first-year" words from several sources and will be adding them to this list.
A
a |
of |
alaka`i |
lead, leader |
au |
I, time period |
alaloa |
highway |
auê |
Oh no! Alas! |
alanui |
street, road |
aupuni |
government, country |
alelo |
tongue |
ahi |
fire |
ali`i |
noble, royal |
ahiahi |
evening |
ama |
outrigger float |
akahele |
be careful of |
anuanu |
cold |
akamai |
intelligent |
apolima |
bracelet |
aku |
fish: mackerel |
awakea |
noontime |
akua |
god, God |
a`a |
root |
ala |
awake |
a`o |
learn, teach |
alahele |
pathway |
a`u |
(replaces au after me) |
a laila |
then |
|
|
`A
`ai |
eat |
`alawa |
to glance downward |
`aihue |
steal; thief |
`anakala |
uncle |
`aikalima |
ice cream |
`anakê |
aunty |
`aila |
oil, fat, grease |
`ane`i |
here (always ma`ane`i, i`ane`i) |
`aina ahiahi |
evening meal |
`ane`i mai |
this side of |
`aina awakea |
lunch |
`ano |
type, kind |
`aoa |
bark at |
`ano nui |
important |
`ao`ao |
page |
`ano`ano |
seed |
`au |
stem; swim (toward something) |
`ano`ê |
strange, funny kine |
`Aukake |
August |
`Apelila |
April |
`auinalâ |
afternoon |
`awapuhi |
ginger, known for its fragrant flowers |
`aumakua |
guardian spirits; family gods |
`a`ala |
smell fragrant; smell good |
`au`au |
take a bath; swim around in the water |
`âina |
land |
`aka`aka |
laugh |
`âinahânau |
birthplace |
`aka`akai |
onion |
`âhui |
(fruit / flower) cluster |
`aka`akailau |
green onion |
`âkala |
pink |
`aka`akaipoepoe |
round onion |
`âkau |
north, right |
`ako |
pick off a plant |
`âko`ako`a |
coral pieces |
`ala |
fragrance, smell |
`âpana |
piece |
`alani |
orange |
`âwîwî |
quick, fast, swift |
E
e |
do something |
emi |
cheap |
`E
`eiwa |
number nine |
`eleweka |
elevator |
`eono |
number six |
`ele`ele |
black |
`ehâ |
number four |
`eli |
dig, dig up |
`ehiku |
number seven |
`elima |
number five |
`ehu |
reddish hair |
`elua |
number two |
`ekahi |
number one |
`enuhe |
caterpillar |
`eke |
bag, purse |
`ewalu |
number eight |
`ekolu |
number three |
`e`e |
board, get on top of something |
`elemakule |
old man |
`êheu |
wing |
H
Haole |
Caucasian |
hohono |
bad-smelling |
hau |
ice |
hohonu |
deep |
haumâna |
student |
hola |
hour, time |
haupia |
coconut pudding |
holo |
run, ride on |
hau`oli |
happy, fun, joy |
holoholo |
ride/walk around for fun |
hahai |
follow |
holoholona |
animal |
hakakâ |
fight |
holoi |
wash, wipe |
haku |
compose |
honi |
smell, kiss |
hala |
passed by, pass; the fruit of pûhala |
Honolulu |
capital city |
hale |
building, house |
honu |
turtle |
haleka`a |
garage, carport |
honua |
ground, earth, world |
haleki`i`oni`oni |
movie theatre |
hope |
behind, after |
halekula |
school building |
hopenapule |
weekend |
halekû`ai |
store |
ho`â |
turn on (light, electricity |
haleleka |
post office |
ho`âla |
wake up (someone) |
halepe`a |
tent |
ho`i |
go back |
halepule |
church |
ho`i mai |
come back |
hale`aina |
restaurant, cafeteria |
ho`ohau`oli |
have fun; do fun things |
halihali |
carry, transport (cargo, baggage) |
ho`ohâlike |
compare |
hana |
work |
ho`ohuli |
turn something over |
hana`ino |
mistreat |
ho`oilo |
winter |
hanini |
to be spilled |
ho`okahi |
one (amount) |
hapahâ |
quarter |
ho`okahi haneli |
one hundred (number and amount) |
hapalua |
half |
ho`okano |
conceited |
hapanui |
majority |
ho`okipa |
invite in guests, treat hospitably |
hâli`i |
spread out (mat, blanket) |
ho`okomo |
put inside, insert |
hâmama |
open, unobstructed |
ho`oku`i |
to join things together |
hânai |
feed, raise (animals, people); adopted/foster child |
ho`olauna |
introduce; introduce someone |
hânau |
give birth |
ho`olohe |
listen |
hâpai |
pregnant; carry, lift |
ho`omaka |
begin, start |
hâpu`u |
tree fern |
ho`oma`ama`a |
pracice |
ha`alele |
to leave a place, abandon something |
ho`oma`ema`e |
clean something |
ha`awina |
lesson |
ho`omâkaukau |
prepare |
ha`i |
inform, tell, reveal |
ho`omoana |
to camp |
hâ`awi |
give |
ho`omo`a |
cook |
hâ`awi mai |
give (me, us) |
ho`opae |
bring shore, cast ashore |
hâ`ule |
fall (throught the air) |
ho`opa`a |
to make firm, to learn |
hâ`ulelau |
fall (season) |
ho`opa`a hau |
to freeze something |
he |
a |
ho`opa`a noho |
reserve a seat |
hea |
where (always i hea) |
ho`opiha |
to fill something up |
heihei |
race |
ho`opili mai |
imitate (me) |
hele |
go |
ho`opio |
turn off (light, electricity) |
hele mai |
come |
ho`owali |
mix (poi) |
helu |
number |
ho`oûlu |
grow (something), raise (plants) |
heluhelu |
read |
hô |
hoe |
hema |
south, left |
hôkele |
hotel |
hemahema |
unskilled, awkward |
hô`ailona |
sign, symbol |
hemo |
loose, unfastened |
hô`oio |
show off |
hiamoe |
sleep |
hô`ole |
deny, say no, negate |
hiapo |
first born child |
hua |
fruit, seed, tuber |
hiki |
possible; arrive |
huamoa |
(chicken) egg |
hilahila |
shame, shy, embarrassed, |
huhû |
angry, mad at |
hinuhinu |
shiny |
hui |
club, organization |
hipa |
sheep |
hui mokulele |
airline company |
hîmeni |
song, sing |
huki |
pull, pull out |
hînano |
flower of the pûhala |
huli |
taro slip; search for, look for; turn a corner, face a different direction |
hoaaloha |
friend |
feather |
hulu |
hoahânau |
cousin |
hu`ihu`i |
chilly |
hoe |
paddle |
|
|
I
i |
in, on, at; to |
imu |
underground oven |
ia |
he, she (or `o ia); the aforesaid |
inoa |
name |
Ianuali |
January |
inoahope |
last name |
Iulai |
July |
inu |
drink |
Iune |
June |
ipuhao |
pot |
ihu |
nose |
iwakâlua |
twenty |
ikaika |
strong |
iwi |
bone, shell |
ikîki |
hot and humid |
|
|
`I
`iako |
outrigger of the canoe |
`ili`ili |
pebbles |
`ike |
see, know |
`i`o |
meat, flesh, beef |
`ili |
skin, surface |
`îkoi |
(fruit) core |
`iliwai |
waterhose |
`îlio |
dog |
K
ka |
the |
Kekemapa |
December |
kai |
sea, salt water; gravy, sauce; seaward |
kekona |
scond (as in time) |
kaikaina |
boy’s younger brother; girl’s younger sister |
kelepona |
telephone |
kaikamahine |
girl, daughter |
Kepakemapa |
September |
kaikua`ana |
boy’s older brother; girl’s older sister |
Kepanî |
Japanese |
kaikuahine |
boy’s sister |
ke`oke`o |
white |
kaikunâne |
girl’s brother |
kêia |
this |
kai nîoi |
chili pepper water |
kêlâ |
that |
kao |
goat |
kênâ |
that (by you) |
kaomi |
press (button) |
kihi |
corner (outside point) |
kaona |
town; hidden meaning |
kikokiko |
spots, spot |
kau |
ride a vehicle; be on top of something; position |
kiloi |
throw |
kauoha |
order, command |
kini |
can |
kauka |
doctor |
kinipôpô |
ball (for games) |
kaula |
string, rope, cord |
kino |
body |
kaulana |
famous |
kipikua |
pick |
kaumaha |
sad, heavy |
ki`i |
picture; go get, fetch |
kauwela |
summer |
ki`i`oni`oni |
movie |
kahakai |
beach |
kî |
tea |
kahawai |
stream, river |
kîkî |
shoot (water, insecticide) |
kahi |
to comb, shave; comb; smooth out; ka + wahi, the place |
kîwai |
water faucet handle |
kahiko |
old, ancient |
kîwî |
T.V. |
kahua mau`u |
grassy yard |
kî`aha |
(drinking) glass |
kahua mokulele |
airport |
koa |
type of wood |
kahua pâ`ani |
playground |
koe |
remain, left, more |
kahuna |
priest, skilled person, expert |
ko ka wahine |
the woman’s |
kakani |
crunchy, as in good `opihi |
kokoke |
close, near, almost |
kala |
color |
kokoleka |
chocolate |
kalaiwa |
drive a car |
ko Lani |
Lani’s |
kalaka |
truck |
kolo |
crawl |
kali |
wait for, wait |
kolohe |
rascal |
Kalikimaka |
Christmas |
komo |
enter, go in |
kalima |
cream |
kona |
his / her |
kalipa |
slipper |
kono |
invite |
kalo |
taro |
kopalâ |
shovel |
kamali`i |
children |
kope |
rake; coffee |
kama`ilio |
converse |
kopekope |
to rake |
kamu |
chewing gum |
kou |
your |
kanaiwa |
number ninety |
ko`e |
earthworm |
kanaka |
man, human being |
ko`u |
my |
kanakolu |
number thirty |
kôkua |
help, aid |
kanapî |
centipede |
kôlea |
plover, carpetbagger |
kani |
make a sound, chime, sing (bird) |
kua |
back (body part) |
kanu |
to plant, bury |
kuahiwi |
mountain |
kapakahi |
crooked |
kuawa |
guava |
kapu |
forbidden, sacred, taboo |
kuene |
flight attendant; waiter / waitress |
kapuahi |
stove |
kui |
to string as a lei;needle, pin, nail |
kawowo |
seedling |
kuhikuhi |
to point out |
ka`a |
car |
kuka |
coat |
ka`u |
my |
kuke |
cook |
ka`ukama |
cucumber |
kukui |
light fixture; candlenut tree |
kâu |
your |
kukuihelepô |
lantern |
kâua |
we (you and I) |
kukû |
thorn |
kâhea |
call out |
kula |
school |
kâ ka wahine |
the woman’s |
kumu |
reason; teacher |
kâkou |
we (you folks and I) |
kumukula |
school teacher |
kâlai |
to hoe |
kumulâ`au |
tree (any kind) |
kâlani |
gallon |
kumumanakô |
mango tree |
kâ Lani |
Lani’s |
kupa |
cook by boiling; soup |
kâlâ |
money, dollar |
kupulau |
spring (season) |
kâ lâkou |
their |
kupuna |
grandparent, elder |
kâlua |
to cook in an imu |
kupunakâne |
grandfather |
kâma`a |
shoe |
kupunawahine |
grandmother |
kâna |
his / her |
ku`i |
pound, punch |
kâpena |
captain |
ku`i `opihi |
pound / pick `opihi |
kâpiki |
cabbage |
kû |
poked, such a wound; stand; stop |
kâpî |
sprinkle on (as salt) |
kûkae |
excrement (lepo is more polite) |
kâpulu |
sloppy, poorly done |
kûkaepele |
sulphur, match |
kâwele |
towel, napkin |
kûkulu |
set up, build |
kâ `olua |
your (two persons) |
kûkû |
grandparent, Tûtû |
kâ `oukou |
your ( more than two persons) |
kûlou |
bend down |
ke |
the |
kûpono |
appropriate |
keiki |
boy, son, child |
kû`ai aku / kû`ai aku |
buy / sell |
keikikâne |
boy, son |
kû`ai `emi |
sale |
kekahi |
one, one of the, another, the other, a certain |
|
|
L
laiki |
rice |
lele |
to fly, to get off a vehicle |
laila |
there (always i laila, ma leila) |
lepo |
dirty; soil, dirt |
laina |
line |
lewa |
to be suspened with gentle movement i the air; sky, airspace |
lau |
leaf, sweet potato stem slip |
le`ale`a |
amusement, pleasure |
laua`e |
maile-scented fern |
lêkiô |
radio |
lauoho |
hair (on the head) |
lêkô |
watercress |
laulau |
meat bundled in leaves |
lio |
horse |
launa |
meet socially, socialize |
lihikai |
area close to beach |
lahilahi |
thin, delicate |
like |
same, similar to |
lakeke |
jacket |
lima |
hand |
lalo |
below, under |
limu |
seaweed, algae |
lana |
float |
li`ili`i |
small |
lanakila |
to have victory, victory |
loa`a |
be found, caught, possessed |
lani |
sky, heaven, royal |
lou |
hand pole for picking fruit; to pick witha lou |
lawa |
enough |
lohe |
hear |
lawai`a |
to fish for; fisherman |
lohi |
late, slow |
lawe |
take |
loko |
inside; innards |
laweleka |
mail carrier |
lole |
clothes, dress |
lawe mai |
bring |
lole`au`au |
swim clothes |
lâ |
day |
loli |
changed |
lâua |
they (two people) |
lomi |
rub softly between fingers |
lâ hânau |
birthday |
lôlô |
dumb, paralyzed (as a leg) |
lâkou |
they (more than two persons) |
lô`ihi |
long, tall |
lâlani |
to line up |
lua |
hole, pit, crater |
lâlâ |
branch |
luahine |
old woman |
lânai |
porch, veranda |
lua`i |
vomit |
Lâpule |
Sunday |
lumi |
room |
lâ`au |
wood |
lumiho`okipa |
living room, parlor |
lâ`auhihi |
vine |
lumikuke |
kitchen |
lâ`aumake |
poison, herbicide |
lumi moe |
bedroom |
lei |
garland; to wear around the neck as a lei |
luna |
on top, above |
leiwili |
a kind of lei |
lû`au |
feast; taro tops |
leka |
mail, letter |
|
|
lekuke |
lettuce |
|
|
M
ma |
in, on, at |
mâhele |
portion, part |
mâ |
"and others" |
mâkaukau |
ready, good at it |
mae |
wilt |
mâka`i |
police officer |
mai |
don’t (do something); from |
mâka`ika`i |
sightsee, tour |
maiâ |
from |
mâkeke |
market |
maika`i |
good, fine |
mâkou |
we (they and I) |
maile |
fragrant vine, leaves used for lei-making |
mâla |
garden |
maopopo |
clear, understood, understandable |
mâlama |
take care of, keep |
mau`u |
grass |
mâlie |
calm, gentle; windless, sunny |
maha`oi |
nosey, bold |
mâluhiluhi |
tired |
mahikô |
sugar plantation |
mâmâ |
mommy |
mahina |
month |
mâ`ona |
full (of food) |
mahimahi |
dolphin fish |
me |
with |
maka |
eye, face |
mea |
thing, person, one; `ôlelo |
makaaniani |
eyeglasses |
meainu |
drink |
makaiauli |
kind of `opihi |
meakanu |
plant |
makahiki |
year |
mea wa`uniu |
coconut grater |
makana |
gift |
mea`ai |
food |
makani |
wind |
Mei |
May |
makapô |
blind |
mele |
song, sing |
maka`u |
fear, be afraid of |
melemele |
yellow |
make |
dead, die |
mile |
mile |
makewai |
thirsty |
minuke |
minute |
makua |
parent |
mâkini |
machine |
makuahine |
mother |
moe |
lie down; bed |
makuakâne |
father |
moena |
mat |
Malaki |
March |
moku |
cut |
malo`o |
dry |
mokulele |
island |
mamao |
far, distant |
mole |
tap root |
manakô |
mango |
momona |
fa, sweet-tasting |
manauea |
seaweed, "ogo" |
mo`a |
cooked |
manamanalima |
finger |
mo`olelo |
story |
mana`o |
think |
mo`opuna |
grandchild |
manu |
bird |
môhala |
open (flower) |
ma`a |
accustomed to, used to |
mô`î |
king, queen |
ma`alahi |
easy |
mua |
in front, before |
ma`alili |
cool after being hot |
muliloa |
last born child |
ma`ema`e |
clean |
mu`umu`u |
Hawaiian-style dress |
ma`i |
sick |
mû |
boring insect, weevil, termite |
mâua |
we (he and I) |
|
|
N
na |
for, belonging to, by |
ninini |
pour |
nalowale |
|
nîele |
inquisitive, interrogate |
nalu |
disappeared, lost |
nî`oi |
chili pepper |
nanea |
wave, surf |
nînau |
ask a question |
nani |
enjoyable, enjoy |
no |
for, belonging to, by |
na`au |
pretty, beautiful |
noi |
ask for, request |
nâ |
intestines |
noho |
chair; sit; live |
|
the (more than one |
Nowemapa |
November |
nâki`i |
tie |
no`eau |
cleverly done |
nânahu |
charcoal |
no`ono`o |
consider, ponder, think up |
nânâ |
look, watch, observe |
nui |
large, plenty |
niu |
coconut |
nuha |
sulky, pouty |
niho |
tooth |
nunui |
huge |
nihoniho |
serrated |
|
|
O
o |
of |
one |
sand |
ola |
healthy, alive, life |
one hânau |
birthplace (poetic) |
`O
`oe |
you (one person) |
`opihi |
mollusk, limpet |
`oi |
sharper; -er, better, worse |
`opihi `âlinalina |
a kind of `opihi |
`oia`i`o |
true; truly |
`o`o |
mature |
`oukou |
you folks (more than two) |
`ô |
fork; there (always ma `ô); jab, poke, spear |
`ohi |
gather, pick up, collect |
`ô aku |
beyond |
`Okakopa |
October |
`ôhi`alomi |
tomato |
`oki |
cut |
`ôlala |
bask in the sun |
`okika |
orchid |
`ôlelo |
speak; language |
`oki`oki |
chop up, cut up |
`ôlelo no`eau |
traditional saying, proverb |
`oko`a |
different |
`ôma`ima`i |
somewhat sick; not feeling well |
`ole |
un-, be non-existent, nothingness |
`ômole |
bottle |
`olua |
you folks (two) |
`ôpala |
rubbish, trash |
`olu`olu |
comfortable, pleasant, nice |
`ôpiopio |
young |
`oma |
oven; bake |
`ôpû |
stomach, belly |
`ono |
delicious |
`ôpûkû |
tripe stew |
P
pae |
for a plane to land |
pipi |
cow |
paia |
wall (of a house |
pipipi |
sea snails |
paikikalo |
bicycle |
pîkake |
white fragrant flower; peacock |
paila |
pile, be boiling (as water) |
poepoe |
round |
pailaka |
pilot |
poi |
staff of life from taro |
paipu |
pipe |
poina |
forget |
pau |
used up, over, ended, disappeared |
pouli |
dark (as sky) |
pahi |
knife |
poupou |
short and husky |
pahi`umi`umi |
razor |
pohihihi |
confusing, not clearly understood |
pahuhau |
ice box |
poho |
chalk |
pahuleka |
mailbox. address |
pohô |
in vain, wasted |
paka |
tobacco |
poke |
marinated raw fish chunks; to remove meat from `opihi shell |
pakalaki |
unlucky |
poko |
cutworm |
pakû |
for the contents of something; to burst out |
pola |
bowl |
pala |
ripe |
poloka |
frog |
palai |
fry |
pololei |
correct, straight |
palaoa |
bread, rolls |
polû |
blue |
palaunu |
brown |
poluea |
sea /air / car sick |
sea |
brown |
poni |
purple |
palaki |
to brush, brush |
ponolawai`a |
fishing supplies |
pali |
cliff |
popopo |
rotten (wood, leaves, carpet) |
palula |
sweet potato greens |
po`e |
people |
palupalu |
soft |
po`i |
break (as a wave) |
papa |
class |
po`o |
head |
papahele |
floor |
pô |
night |
papamanawa |
timetable, schedule |
pôhaku |
rock, stone |
papa`ele`ele |
blackboard |
pôkole |
short |
pa`a |
stuck, firm |
pôloli |
hungry |
pa`a |
pair |
pôpoki |
cat |
pa`akai |
salt |
Pô`aono |
Saturday |
pa`akikî |
hard, stubborn, difficult |
Pô`ahâ |
Thursday |
pâ |
fence, wall; yard; plate, shine (sun), blow (wind) |
Pô`akahi |
Monday |
pâiki, pâisi |
purse, suitcase |
Pô`akolu |
Wednesday |
pâilina |
graveyard |
Pô`alima |
Friday |
pâka |
park |
Pô`alua |
Tuesday |
pâkaukau |
table |
pô`ele`ele |
dark, without light |
pâkeke |
bucket |
pua |
flower |
Pâkê |
Chinese |
puaaloalo |
hibiscus |
pâlule |
shirt |
puahala |
cut hala fruit |
pâ mea`ai |
plate lunch |
puakenikeni |
fragrant orange flower |
pâpa`a |
burnt, charred |
puamale |
stephanotis |
pâpa`u |
shallow (water) |
puamêlia |
plumeria |
pâpâ |
daddy |
pua`a |
pig |
pâ`ani |
play (as in games) |
puhi |
smoke (tobacco); eel |
pâ`ina |
meal, supper, party |
puka |
doorway, door, hole, perforation; come out, go out |
peni |
pen |
Pukikî |
Portuguese |
penikala |
pencil |
pule |
pray; prayer; week |
pepa |
paper; pepper |
pulu |
wet; coconut husk |
Pepeluali |
February |
puna |
spoon |
pêkona |
bacon |
pupule |
crazy |
pêpê |
baby |
pu`e |
hill of dirt for planting `uala |
pia |
beer |
pûhala |
hala tree |
pio |
out (as a light of fire) |
pûlehu |
cook on hot coals |
piha |
full |
pûpû |
shells, mollusks; hors d’oeuvres |
pihi |
button |
pû`ali |
to have a groove |
pikiniki |
to picnic, picnic |
pû`alikoa |
army, military |
pîlau |
stench (milder word is hohono) |
pû`iwa |
surprised, shocked, startled |
pilikia |
trouble, hassle |
pû`olo |
package |
U
ua |
rain |
uku |
pay |
uaki |
watch, clock |
uliuli |
deep dark color, blue greenish |
uea |
wire |
ulu |
to grow up |
uê |
cry (tears) |
ululâ`au |
forest |
uka |
inland |
umauma |
chest |
ukana |
baggage, carried belongings |
u`i |
(youthfully) good-looking, beautiful |
`U
`uala |
sweet potato |
`umikûmâkahi |
number eleven |
`ualakahiki |
Irish potato |
`umi`umi |
beard, mustache, whiskers |
`uî |
squeeze out |
`upena |
net (fishing) |
`ula`ula |
red |
`u`u |
to strip stem from vine, as with maile |
`umi |
number ten |
`ûpâ |
scissors |
W
waele |
to weed |
wa`a |
canoe |
waena |
between, among, intermediate |
wa`u |
grate |
wai |
fresh water; who |
wâwae |
foot, leg |
waiû |
milk |
wâwae`iole |
"rat foot" (seaweed) |
waiûpaka |
butter |
wehe |
open, take off |
waiho |
to put something some place, leave something |
weka |
innards of `opihi |
waiho`olu`u |
color |
wela |
hot |
wainiu |
coconut milk / water |
welelau |
tip |
waiwai |
rich, valuable |
wikiwiki |
fast |
wahine |
woman |
wili |
to twist something around something |
waho |
outside |
wîwî |
skinny |
Note: These glosses are partial. More definitions are to be found in the source: Pukui, Mary Kawena & Elbert, Samuel H., HAWAIIAN DICTIONARY, UH Press, 1975.
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