"Makemake ʻoe i ka lau ʻai a i ʻole ka hua ʻai?"

Translation: Do you want vegetables or fruits?

[RonRGB]

Hawaiian Dictionary: http://wehewehe.org/gsdl2.85/cgi-bin/hdict?e=q-11000-00---off-0hdict--00-1----0-10-0---0---0direct-10-ED--4-------0-1lpm--11-en-Zz-1---Zz-1-home-lau--00-3-1-00-0--4----0-0-11-00-0utfZz-8-00&a=d&d=D10464

ka lau = the leaf

ka lau ʻai = (the leaf food which translates to) the vegetables

[BlockedBlock]

So why is "ka lau ʻai" plural "vegetables" instead of singular "vegetable"? Same with fruit.

Wouldnʻt "vegetables" be "nā lau ʻai"? If not, why?

[T.Fleisch9987]

I saw on another thread that it's ka because its referring to vegetables in general instead of a specific group of vegetables

[danielle149882]

But its still plural regardless on what vegetable they're talking about...? It should be Nā. Just like nā wāhine, women. You're saying women in general...not a specific one

[Lema1980]

I believe that it has to do with the indefinite article, using ka lau’ai etc meaning veggies in general. Very tricky

[LMarquis1]

It's like saying "the people" instead of "the persons". Lau 'ai is already plural. It doesnt translate directly to English.

[Szobody-Ezra]

interesting

[Kaz700065]

"Do you want a fruit or a vegetable?" can be used to mean "You must pick one of these things. Which do you choose?" or to mean "would you like a snack? These are the two things I have as options." and the difference is contextual. Would the same apply to this sentence in Hawaiian?

[Lema1980]

If it’s a general question, shouldn’t it be “vegetables and fruit”? Or does this describe a situation at a table eg?

[KarinLynn1]

couldn't it be "would you like" vs "do you want"?