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What Do Hawaiians Say When You Sneeze? Meaning and Cultural Insights

Discover what Hawaiians say when someone sneezes and the cultural meaning behind phrases like 'kihe a mauli ola' and 'gesundheit'.

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Video transcript

Hawaiians typically say ‘kihe a mauli ola’ when someone sneezes. This phrase translates to a blessing for good health. Alternatively, many use ‘gesundheit’, a term borrowed from German, meaning ‘health’.

Questions and answers

  1. What does 'kihe a mauli ola' mean?

    'Kihe a mauli ola' is a Hawaiian phrase said when someone sneezes, meaning a blessing for good health.

  2. Why do Hawaiians say 'gesundheit'?

    'Gesundheit' is a German word meaning health. Hawaiians sometimes use it as a borrowed term to wish health after a sneeze.

  3. Is saying something after a sneeze common in Hawaiian culture?

    Yes, it is customary in Hawaiian culture to say a phrase like 'kihe a mauli ola' as a blessing following a sneeze.

  4. Are there other cultural expressions related to health in Hawaiian language?

    Yes, Hawaiian culture has many phrases and blessings related to health and well-being integrated into daily life.

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