Hawaiian word of the week

July 14th, 2008

Filed Under Word of the week |

Kupuna-(kah-poo-na)- Respected elder

The alphabet contains 12 letters: 5 vowels (a, e, i, o, u) and 7 consonants (h, k, l, m, n, p, w). To simplify pronunciation, sound consonants as in English and break up words so they are easy to say (ie- Humuhumunukunukuapua’a would be pronounced humu-humu-nuku-nuku-apu-a-a)

Pronounce vowels as follows:

a - a in above; e - e in set; i - ee in see; o - o in some; u - oo in moon.

Pronounce vowels marked by a glottal stop (`) quickly ie- o`o sounds like oh-oh! in English.

Stress rising dipthongs (ae, ai, ao, au, oi, ou, eu, ei) on the first letter and end with a short e, i, o or u. ie- oi sounds like oy in soy, ending with a short “i”.


Comments

3 Comments so far

  1. callie on July 14, 2008 6:10 pm

    Jus wanted to say Aloha e’ my friend. Miss you mucho gusto!

    ~c

  2. Lawrence on July 18, 2008 4:39 pm

    Although “Kapuna” is very commonly used, it is incorrect. The correct Hawaiian word for respected elder is “Kupuna”.

  3. Pele on July 18, 2008 4:46 pm

    Duly noted and changed. Mahalo for catching that Lawrence!

Name (required)

Email (required)

Website

Speak your mind