weliweli
The Hawaiian word for awesome is weliweli.
weliweli is an adjective used to describe something that is excellent or exciting.
Meaning: excellent, exciting (adj)
Did you know?
- The term weliweli can act as a kaona, which is a hidden poetic meaning used to describe beauty or spirit without stating it explicitly.
- The word weliweli can also mean 'lush' or 'luxuriant' when describing vegetation and nature. This links the feeling of something being 'awesome' to the richness and abundance of the natural landscape.
- While 'weliweli' is used for excitement, expressing awe at the natural world often involves terms related to the 'āina', or the land, because the land itself is seen as the source of greatness.
Example conversation
Ikaika and Leilani are looking at a beautiful sunset.
- IkaikaE nānā i ka lani, Leilani!Look at the sky, Leilani!
- LeilaniWeliweli loa ka sunset!The sunset is so awesome!
- IkaikaʻAe, he mea nani kēia.Yes, this is a beautiful thing.
- LeilaniKūleʻa kēlā me kēia mea.Everything is wonderful.
