馃尯 Hawaiian phrases

How to Say "What does this mean?" in Hawaiian

The SPAIKING TeamJuly 27, 2026
He aha k膿ia?
"What does this mean?" in Hawaiian 路 say it like hey ah-hah kay-ah

The most natural way to say "What does this mean?" in Hawaiian is He aha k膿ia?. Tap the speaker above to hear it, then say it back out loud. That is the fastest way to make it stick.

Other ways to say it

He aha k膿ia mau mea?
Use this when referring to multiple items.
He mea k膿ia?
This is a more casual way to ask about something specific.

When to use it

Use this phrase when you want to understand the meaning of something. It can be used in both formal and casual settings. It is appropriate in conversations, classrooms, or when asking for clarification.

Say it out loud, get corrected

Reading it is not the same as saying it. Practice "What does this mean?" and thousands more with an AI coach that listens.

Examples in Hawaiian

HawaiianEnglish
He aha k膿ia 驶艒lelo?What does this word mean?
Common mistake
Learners often forget to use the correct question structure in Hawaiian.

The fastest way to remember it

Vocabulary you only read fades fast. Vocabulary you say out loud sticks. Hear He aha k膿ia?, repeat it a few times, then use it in a real sentence. SPAIKING lets you practice exactly that, speaking Hawaiian with a coach that corrects your pronunciation in real time. You can start with two free conversations.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use this phrase in a formal setting?

Yes, it is suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

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