Where the Stress Falls
Count back from the end of the word. The next-to-last syllable usually carries the stress, and kahakō vowels get extra weight.
How It Works
Stress is not written in Hawaiian, so you learn it from the pattern. In words with fewer than four syllables, the grammar teaches one stressed syllable, usually the next-to-last one. If the last syllable has a kahakō, that last syllable is the strongest.
| Word | Say it | Why |
|---|---|---|
| hale | HA-le | next-to-last syllable |
| mahalo | ma-HA-lo | next-to-last syllable |
| keiki | KEI-ki | the diphthong ei is heard strongly |
| ʻōpū | ʻō-PŪ | a kahakō on the last syllable makes it the strongest |
Longer words are heard as two or more small groups, each with its own stress, and the last group is the strongest. Small words like ka and ke often blend into the next word. Speakers vary, so use this as a guide and listen to people.
Examples (5)
- hale
house
Two syllables, so the stress is on ha, the next-to-last.
- mahalo
thank you
Three syllables: ma-HA-lo, with the stress in the middle.
- keiki
child
The diphthong ei is heard strongly, and it is also the next-to-last syllable.
- kāne
man, male
The kahakō in kā marks a long vowel that is heard strongly.
- ʻōpū
stomach
The last syllable has a kahakō, so it carries the stress.
How It Connects
Learn This First
Counting the syllables and long vowels tells you where the stress falls.
Related Patterns
Practice Where the Stress Falls in Bubblegum
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