PUKE WEHEWEHE ` LELO: ŌUsing the Hawaiian Dictionary

HAW 101

PUKE WEHEWEHE

1) Read the preface2) Understand the

abbreviations 3) Read everything!

PREFACE

• It can really help you to learn how to use the dictionary and it will make it less intimidating.

• Lots of interesting information and you’ll be surprised at how much you can learn.

• It explains how the dictionary is set up. The more you understand how something is set up, the easier it will be to use.

• This dictionary is a compilation of different resources and the most revised.

IMPORTANT ABBREVIATIONS• The abbreviations listed included in the

preface will show you where the words come from (stories, older dictionaries, proverbs, etc.) and what type of word it is. These are very important when understanding how to use these words in a sentence.

n. nounvi. intransitiveverbvt. transitive verbvs stative verbnvi, nvt, nvs combination

WEHEWEHE.ORG

• Don’t worry about proper spelling when translating a word from Hawaiian to English.

• Abbreviations will help you find the word that you are looking for.

READ EVERYTHING!• It is important to understand your vocabulary

from a Hawaiian viewpoint. Hawaiian words and English words do not always match perfectly.

• It is also important to know the context of the word you need to use.

• Read all of the offerings from the search engine

• Double check your word in the Hawai`i section!

LA`ANA

•  For example, the word “back” in the English language has at least 4 different meanings.

LA`ANA: “BACK”

• The pen is in back of youAia ka peni ma hope ou.

• I will back your parents.E k ko oā ʻ wau i kou mau m kua. ā

• My back is sore.Eha ko u ʻ ʻ kua.

• Back in the days of Keoua…..ma mua i ka w o Keouaā

CHECK FOR PROPER CONTEXT

• Do not simply take the first word that you see under the definition.

• “throw” = “nou.” • Nou “I threw away my paper” or “My ≠

daughter threw her spoon on the floor.”• Instead, you would use the word “kiloi.”

DOUBLE-CHECK

• Check past and present vocabulary first for words that were given.

• When using the dictionary, look at the word from English to Hawaiian and then back again from Hawaiian to English to make sure that you are choosing the correct word.

IMPORTANT NOTES

• “She took the test yesterday.”• Lawe = to physically take something

somewhere• Instead, you would probably use the word

“hana” as in work or do• Ua hana o ia i ka h ike i nehinei. ōʻ ʻ

CHECK ALL MEANINGS

• Hit– Pa i (hit with hand)ʻ– Hili (hit with something

else, as in a bat or a whip)– K hewa (hit on accident)ā