Pronunciation

Hawaiian pronunciation is generally straightforward. Vowels are pronounced distinctly and clearly, without the blending sounds common in English. Consonants are generally pronounced as in English, except for “w” which can sound like “v” sometimes. 

Here’s a simple guide:
Vowels: 
  • A: Pronounced like “ah” as in “father”.
  • E: Pronounced like “eh” as in “bet”.
  • I: Pronounced like “ee” as in “machine”.
  • O: Pronounced like “oh” as in “tone”.
  • U: Pronounced like “oo” as in “rule”.
  • Long Vowels: A macron (¯) over a vowel extends the sound (e.g., “ā” is a longer “ah”).
Consonants:
  • H, K, L, M, N, P: Pronounced the same as in English. 

    W: Can sound like “v” after “i” or “e” or “w” in other positions. 

    ʻOkina: A glottal stop, a slight pause between two vowels. 

Diphthongs:
  • Pairs of vowels are often combined in one syllable, with the first vowel slightly more stressed.
  • Examples: “ai” as in “kai” (sea), “au” as in “au” (go).
Other Notes:
  • Hawaiian words usually end in a vowel, and consonants are always followed by a vowel.
  • The letter “w” can be a tricky one, so practice with native speakers or listen to audio recordings.

 

In Hawaiian, emphasis in a word generally falls on the penultimate (second to last) syllable unless the last syllable has a long vowel or a diphthong. Consonants are generally pronounced similarly to their English counterparts, except for the glottal stop (ʻokina) which is a stop in the back of the throat. 

Elaborate:
  • General Emphasis:
    Hawaiian words are generally pronounced with emphasis on the penultimate syllable, which is the second to last syllable. 

  • Exceptions:
    If the last syllable has a long vowel (indicated by a macron above it), the emphasis shifts to the final syllable. 

  • Vowel Sounds:
    Hawaiian vowels are pronounced as follows: A (ah), E (eh), I (ee), O (oh), and U (oo). 

  • Consonant Sounds:
    Most consonants are pronounced similarly to their English counterparts, such as H (h), K (k), L (l), M (m), N (n), P (p), and W (w). 

  • Glottal Stop:
    The ʻokina (ʻ) represents a glottal stop, which is a pause or interruption in the breath stream, often heard in the middle of words. 

  • Examples:
    • Aloha: The emphasis is on the second syllable: “a-LO-ha”. 
  • Mahalo: The emphasis is on the second syllable: “ma-HA-lo”. 
  • Kū`okoʻa: The emphasis is on the penultimate syllable, but the final syllable also receives emphasis because of the glottal stop: “Kū-‘o-KO-`a”. 
  • Key Points:
    • The emphasis in Hawaiian can be subtle, but it’s important to pay attention to the syllable that receives the most prominence. 
  • The glottal stop (ʻokina) can affect the pronunciation of words and can also be a factor in where emphasis falls. 
  • While Hawaiian uses a limited number of consonants and vowels, the way they are combined and emphasized can create a wide variety of sounds and meanings.