Can we translate this English phrase into Hawaiian?

Anoai kakou,

We’re focusing on translating English phrases into Hawaiian… so let’s jump right into it.

“Have a nice day.” First of all, we would never say this in Hawaiian. It’s just not a thing. The reason you hear this phrase translated into Hawaiian today is because of English influence. This is not to say that some phrases translate well from one language to another.

If we go a little deeper, what do we actually mean when we say “have a nice day”? Do we really want people to have good weather? Can people even have a day? No. If this phrase is taken literally, it doesn’t even make sense in English, let alone translating it into another language. 

I think what we’re really trying to tell people when we say “have a nice day” is something along the lines of, “be safe today”, “have a fun time today”, “I hope nothing bad happens to you today…” See what I’m saying and why we wouldn’t literally translate the words in that phrase?

What we might say in Hawaiian instead is…

• Aloha - To greet, have compassion, respect, affection, etc.
• Anoai - To greet, greetings, salutations.
• A hui hou aku - Goodbye (until we meet again). 
• Na ke akua e hoopomaikai ia oe - “May god bless you”. 

(All of these phrases and more were used by speakers on “Ka Leo Hawaii”)

Always remember that there are many different ways to express yourself in any language. 

I hope that helps you start to understand the mindset behind why we translate ideas and not literal words. 

We will break down another common phrase next week. 

What questions do you have about this concept? What common English phrase or idea would you like to “translate” into Hawaiian?

A hui hou aku no kakou,

Malu