leʻa

Hawaiian

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /ˈle.ʔa/, [ˈlɛ.ʔə]

Etymology 1

From Proto-Nuclear Polynesian *leka (“pleasant”). Cognate with Maori reka (“pleasant”), Tokelauan leka (“joke”).

Verb

leʻa(stative)

  1. pleasing, delightful
  2. pleased, delighted
  3. happy, merry
Derived terms
  • hoʻoleʻa (“delight”, verb)
  • leʻaleʻa (“happy”)
  • manawaleʻa (“charity”)

Noun

leʻa

  1. joy, pleasure
  2. happiness, merriment
  3. (sex) orgasm

Etymology 2

(This etymology is missing or incomplete. Please add to it, or discuss it at the Etymology scriptorium.)

Verb

leʻa(stative)

  1. clearly, thoroughly
    ʻike leʻa ― to see clearly
  2. smoothly, successfully
Derived terms
  • kāleʻa (“prayer to the family gods”)
  • kūleʻa (“successful”)

Further reading

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