waiwai nani
/wai̯ˈwai̯ ˈna.ni/word by word
The phrase "beautiful treasures" is translated into Hawaiian as waiwai nani.
waiwai nani refers to valuable objects or possessions that are visually pleasing. The term waiwai is versatile, as it can represent both material wealth and specific valuable objects or treasures.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of waiwai, meaning wealth or possessions and nani, meaning beautiful.
How does it change in a sentence?
In Hawaiian, the adjective nani follows the noun waiwai it modifies.
How do you pronounce it?
/wai̯ˈwai̯ ˈna.ni/. The phrase has 4 syllables and the stress is on the 2nd syllable.
Did you know?
- The word wai can mean 'fresh water', which was historically the most vital form of 'wealth' in the islands, making the word waiwai a potential linguistic nod to life-sustaining resources.
- In traditional Hawaiian thought, true 'treasures' are often those that maintain the 'mana' or spiritual power of the ancestors.
- The word waiwai is a reduplicated form, which in many Polynesian languages is used to intensify a meaning or create a new concept from a base word.
Examples in context
- He waiwai nani kēia.This is a beautiful treasure.
- Ua loaʻa iā ia nā waiwai nani.He found the beautiful treasures.
Example conversation
Noelani and Kai are looking through an old family chest.
- NoelaniE nānā, he nui nā waiwai nani ma 이곳!Look, there are many beautiful treasures here!
- KaiHe nani loa kēia lei pōhaku.This stone necklace is very beautiful.
- NoelaniHe waiwai nani kēia no ka ʻohana.This is a beautiful treasure for the family.
- KaiʻAe, e mālama pono kākou.Yes, let us take good care of it.
Sources
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (waiwai, nani) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries waiwai, CC BY-SA 4.0.
