uʻi
/ˈu.ʔi/
The Hawaiian word for beautiful is uʻi.
uʻi is an adjective used to describe someone or something that is attractive.
Meaning: attractive (adj)
How do you pronounce it?
The word has 2 syllables, with the stress on the first syllable. It is pronounced /ˈu.ʔi/.
Did you know?
- In Hawaiian culture, beauty is often linked to the concept of pono, meaning balance and righteousness, suggesting that true beauty comes from being in harmony with others and nature.
- In Hawaiian, many words for beauty are related to the concept of light or brightness. Describing someone as 'beautiful' often carries an underlying sense of being radiant or glowing.
- While uʻi is often used for people, the related word nani is typically reserved for the grand beauty of nature, such as a towering mountain or a sunset.
Examples in context
- ʻO ka nani kēia!This is beauty!
- He uʻi kēia pua.This flower is beautiful.
- He uʻi ka māmā.The mother is beautiful.
Example conversation
Malia and Koa are looking at a garden.
- MaliaE nānā i kēia mau pua!Look at these flowers!
- KoaʻAe, uʻi loa lākou.Yes, they are very beautiful.
- MaliaMakemake au i ka ʻala.I like the scent.
- KoaHe mea uʻi kēia.This is a beautiful thing.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry uʻi, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
