Describing in a Short Sentence
A describing word can be the whole predicate. Say it first, then the thing.
How It Works
In Hawaiian, many describing words behave like short verbs. The Reference Grammar calls them stative verbs. They can start a sentence without any help:
| Describing word | Subject | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Wela | ke kope | The coffee is hot. |
| Hauʻoli | au | I am happy. |
The subject can be a noun with ka, ke or nā, or a pronoun. For “not”, put ʻaʻole in front: ʻAʻole wela ke kope “The coffee is not hot”. Add loa for “very”.
Examples (5)
- Nani ka lā.
The day is beautiful.
The describing word comes first.
- Wela ke kope.
The coffee is hot.
Wela starts the sentence.
- Liʻiliʻi ke keiki.
The child is small.
There is no word for “is”.
- Hauʻoli ʻoe.
You are happy.
A pronoun can be the subject.
- Nui nā hale.
The houses are big.
Nā hale is the plural subject.
How It Connects
Learn This First
A describing word can start a sentence on its own, and there is no word for “is”.
Related Patterns
Practice Describing in a Short Sentence in Bubblegum
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