lima
/ˈli.ma/
The English phrase arm is lima in Hawaiian.
lima refers to the upper appendage from the shoulder to the wrist. In many contexts, however, it is used to refer specifically to the hand.
Meaning: upper appendage from shoulder to wrist (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word lima is polysemous and can mean arm, hand or the number five depending on the context.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /ˈli.ma/. It has 2 syllables, with the stress on the 1st of 2.
Did you know?
- The connection between the words for 'hand' and 'five' exists because ancient people used their fingers to count, making the 'hand' the physical representation of the number five.
- The word lima is a cognate with the Malay word 'lima', which also means the number 'five'.
- In Hawaiian hula, specific movements of the lima are used as a visual language to tell stories, meaning the arm functions as a tool for narrative communication.
Examples in context
- Ua hoʻokiʻekiʻe ʻo ia i kona lima.She raised her arm.
Example conversation
Keanu and Kiana are talking about a sports injury.
- KeanuHe aha ka mea i случилось i kou lima?What happened to your arm?
- KianaUa haʻalele ʻia koʻu lima.My arm was strained.
- KeanuE hoʻomalu i kou lima.Rest your arm.
- KianaʻAe, e hana au like.Yes, I will do that.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “arm” translations and entries lima, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries lima, CC BY-SA 4.0.
