What’s That Curvy Mark? Learn the Magic of the ʻOkina
If you’ve ever seen a little curved mark in Hawaiian words—like in ʻohana or Hawaiʻi—that’s called the ʻokina. It might look small, but it plays a huge role in how Hawaiian is spoken and understood.
What Is the ʻOkina?
The ʻokina is a glottal stop. That means it’s a brief pause in sound, like the tiny break between “uh-oh.” In writing, it looks like a small, left-facing apostrophe. But in speaking, it can totally change a word’s meaning.
For example:
- moa means chicken
- moʻa (with ʻokina) means cooked
Learning to spot and say the ʻokina helps kids pronounce words correctly and sound more like native speakers.
Why the ʻOkina Matters
Hawaiian is all about rhythm and sound. The ʻokina helps preserve the language’s musical flow. It also keeps meanings clear. Without it, some words would be hard to tell apart!
Fun Ways to Learn the ʻOkina
ʻOkina Echo Game
Say a word without the ʻokina, then again with it. Have kids echo the difference and feel the pause in their throats.
ʻOkina Art Time
Draw a fun poster of Hawaiian words with and without ʻokina. Highlight how the tiny mark changes pronunciation and meaning.
Dinolingo’s Hawaiian language program for kids ages 2–14 teaches not only words but the sounds behind them. Children hear native speakers use the ʻokina naturally in games, songs, and interactive videos.
Available on web, iOS, and Android, Dinolingo also includes printable tools to help young learners practice reading and saying Hawaiian words the right way.
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