Learn How to Pronounce Merry Christmas in Hawaiian
(Listen to the audio above for the stress and intonation)
The Expert's Take
Meaning and Context
The phrase "Mele Kalikimaka" is the quintessential Hawaiian holiday greeting, translating directly to "Merry Christmas." This charming expression is not a direct translation but a brilliant phonetic adaptation, meticulously conforming to the unique phonological rules of the ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi (the Hawaiian language). Since the language's alphabet contains only 13 letters and traditionally lacks the consonant sounds for "r" and "s," "Merry Christmas" is naturally transformed into this melodic alternative. Its global recognition was cemented by the 1950 Bing Crosby and The Andrews Sisters hit song "Mele Kalikimaka," which has since become a festive standard. Today, the phrase evokes the spirit of Hawaiian Christmas traditions, blending the aloha spirit with festive holiday greetings and is central to Christmas in Hawaii celebrations, which often feature Hawaiian Christmas songs, leis, and mele Kalikimaka decorations. Understanding this phrase offers a delightful glimpse into Hawaiian language and Polynesian culture.
Common Mistakes and Alternative Spellings
The standard and correct spelling is "Mele Kalikimaka." Common misspellings and variations often arise from mishearing the song or from the phonetic challenge of the phrase. Frequent errors include "Mele Kalikimaka" (incorrectly adding an 'r'), "Mele Kalikimaka" (substituting an 's'), and "Mele Kalikimaka" (dropping the second 'k'). Other typographical mistakes involve run-on spellings like "Melekalikimaka" or separations such as "Mele Kali Kimaka." It is also sometimes mistakenly written as "Merry Kalikimaka," blending the English and Hawaiian. Note that in proper Hawaiian orthography, the okina (ʻ), a glottal stop represented by a backward apostrophe, is sometimes used in writing "Mele" as "Mele" to indicate a slight break, though it is commonly omitted in widespread festive usage. Capitalization typically follows English title conventions, especially when referencing the song.
Example Sentences
As the plane touched down in Honolulu, the first banner we saw wished every arrival a warm "Mele Kalikimaka."
To make her Christmas cards truly special, she learned to write "Mele Kalikimaka" in elegant script above a picture of a canoe adorned with poinsettias.
The radio station switched to an all-holiday format, and the familiar chords of Bing Crosby's "Mele Kalikimaka" instantly put everyone in a festive mood.
When teaching her mainland family about Hawaiian culture, she explained that saying "Mele Kalikimaka" is about more than just words—it's about sharing the aloha spirit during the holidays.
The resort's spectacular luau feast on Christmas Eve concluded with the staff and guests joining hands to sing and exchange the greeting "Mele Kalikimaka" under the stars.
Sources and References
For the phrase "Mele Kalikimaka," I used YouGlish to find it in Hawaiian music, holiday commercials, and travel shows. I also consulted online Hawaiian language resources and pronunciation guides specific to the islands.
Related Pronunciations
- How to pronounce mwaramutse
- How to pronounce tabarnak
- How to pronounce mzungu
- How to pronounce Mo ghraidh
- How to pronounce njuta