Using “No ka mea” (Because)

How to use “no ka mea” to string to phrases together. In English, we can use the word “because” to join two phrases together. The same is possible in Hawaiian, using “no ka mea”. As you heard in the vocabulary for this section, “no ka mea” means “because”.

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To practice, repeat the Hawaiian after the speaker. Learn how to put the three pieces of the complete idea together, and then say the entire sentence. Try to think about the meaning of each phrase as you say it.

E huakaʻi ana kākou – we are all going to travel
no ka mea – because
ua nani ka mokupuni – the island is beautiful
E huakaʻi ana kākou, no ka mea, ua nani ka mokupuni.
We are all going to travel, because the island is beautiful.

E noho ana kākou – we are all going to sit down
no ka mea – because
ua nui loa ka makani – the wind is so very strong
E noho ana kākou, no ka mea, ua nui loa ka makani.
We are all going to sit down because the wind is so very strong.

E nānā ana kākou – we are all going to look
no ka mea – because
e heʻenalu ana nā kānaka – the people are going to surf
E nānā ana kākou, no ka mea, e heʻenalu ana nā kānaka.
We are all going to look, because the people are going to surf.

E lanakila ana kākou – we will win
no ka mea – because
e ikaika ana kākou – we will be strong
E lanakila ana kākou, no ka mea, e ikaika ana kākou.
We will win, becuase we will be strong.

E makemake nui ana kākou – we are all going to really like
no ka mea – because
e nui ana nā huaʻai – there will be lots of fruit
E makemake nui ana kākou, no ka mea, e nui ana nā huaʻai.
We will all really like it, because there will be lots of fruit.

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Hulō! Ua pau ka huakaʻi i ka mokopuni ʻo Maui. I kēia manawa, e holoholo ana kākou i Oʻahu. Hoʻomākaukau!

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