hanai
Meaning: to adopt
Usage: Hanai refers to the informal practice of adoption within Hawaiian families, often involving extended family members. It's a deeply rooted cultural practice.
"They hanai the baby"
"Dey hanai da keiki, treat him like one of dey own."
"She was hanai by her grandparents."
Origin: Hanai is a traditional Hawaiian practice of raising a child who is not one's biological offspring, strengthening family bonds.
What does "hanai" mean in Hawaiian Pidgin?
"hanai" means "to adopt" in Hawaiian Pidgin. Hanai refers to the informal practice of adoption within Hawaiian families, often involving extended family members. It's a deeply rooted cultural practice..
How do you pronounce "hanai"?
"hanai" is pronounced "hah-NYE". Click the "Hear Pronunciation" button above to listen!
How do you use "hanai" in a sentence?
Example: "They hanai the baby"
"To indicate past tense, Pidgin often uses 'wen' before the verb (e.g., 'I wen go' for 'I went')."
"Hawaiian Pidgin (HWC) originated on sugar plantations as a way for diverse ethnic groups to communicate."
Want to learn more? Check out our Learning Hub or Talk Story with Kimo!