Numbers With Nouns
Put the number before the noun for “two children”, or after the noun with nā for “the two children”.
How It Works
Hawaiian has two common places for a number.
| Pattern | Example | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| number + noun | ʻelua keiki | two children |
| number + mau + noun | ʻelua mau keiki | two children |
| article + noun + number | nā keiki ʻelua | the two children |
The Reference Grammar shows both orders with fish: ʻelua iʻa and ʻelua mau iʻa for “two fish”, and nā iʻa ʻelua for “the two fish”. It also says that for numbers greater than nine after the noun, he comes before the number: nā iʻa he ʻumikūmālua, “the twelve fish”.
The grammar also notes that a number placed after a demonstrative and noun, as in kēia mau keiki (he) ʻelua (“these two children”), uses the same idea. In short, the noun does not change when it is counted.
Examples (5)
- Ua kūʻai ʻo Leilani i ʻekolu pāpale.
Leilani bought three hats.
The number comes before the noun.
- Aia nā keiki ʻelua ma ka hale.
The two children are at the house.
The article nā comes first, and the number follows the noun.
- Aia he ʻeono mau haumāna ma ka papa.
There are six students in the class.
He comes after aia before a counted group.
- Eia nā puke he ʻumikūmālima.
Here are the fifteen books.
He comes before a number above nine after the noun.
- Ua ʻai ke keiki i ʻelua ʻuala.
The child ate two sweet potatoes.
The noun ʻuala does not change.
How It Connects
Learn This First
A number can stand right before its noun, and nā sometimes comes first.
Related Patterns
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
Words in This Pattern
Practice Numbers With Nouns in Bubblegum
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