kaikamahine
/ˌkai̯.ka.maˈhi.ne/
The English phrase "baby girl" is translated into Hawaiian as kaikamahine.
kaikamahine is used to refer to a young female child.
Which one should you use?
While kaikamahine is often used for a girl, keiki wahine is a more literal way to specify a female child (baby girl/child girl).
How does it change in a sentence?
The word kaikamahine does not change its form to indicate plurality. Plurality is indicated by adding the word kiaʻeʻa or using context/counters.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has 5 syllables, with the stress on the 4th syllable: /ˌkai̯.ka.maˈhi.ne/.
Did you know?
- In Hawaiian, the term kamahine can be used to refer to an unmarried woman or a maiden, not just a small child.
- In traditional Hawaiian social structures, the way one refers to female relatives like a 'kaikamahine' could be dictated by strict protocols of seniority and status.
- The prefix 'kai-' in kaikamahine is a kinship marker used to denote family relationships, much like how 'sister' or 'cousin' functions in English.
Examples in context
- E komo mai, pēpē wahine!Welcome, baby girl!
Example conversation
Noelani and Koa are looking at a photo of a newborn.
- NoelaniHe kaikamahine nani kēia.This is a beautiful baby girl.
- KoaʻAe, he kaikamahine nani loa.Yes, she is a very beautiful baby girl.
- NoelaniPehea ka inoa o ka kaikamahine?What is the baby girl's name?
- KoaʻO Keiki ka inoa.The name is Keiki.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry kaikamahine, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries kaikamahine, CC BY-SA 4.0.
