manu
/ˈma.nu/
The Hawaiian word for bird is manu.
manu is a noun used to refer to a bird.
Meaning: animal (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
The word has two syllables, with the stress on the first syllable: /ˈma.nu/.
Did you know?
- In Hawaiian culture, certain birds were viewed as ‘aumākua, or ancestral guardian spirits that could take animal form to protect a family.
- Historically, the feathers of certain manu were harvested to create the ‘ahu ‘ula, royal capes that signaled high rank and divine power.
- The word manu is a cognate shared across many Pacific languages, appearing in Māori, Samoan and Tongan as well.
Examples in context
- Ke manu e kani nei i ka nani o ka Pōhaku Loa.The bird singing in the beauty of Pōhaku Loa.
- He manu kēia.This is a bird.
- Ua ʻike ʻia ka manu.The bird was seen.
- He manu nani kēia.This is a beautiful bird.
Example conversation
Keanu and Noelani are walking in a forest.
- KeanuNoelani, nānā i ka manu!Noelani, look at the bird!
- NoelaniHe manu nani loa ia.It is a very beautiful bird.
- KeanuHe aha ka inoa o kēlā manu?What is the name of that bird?
- NoelaniʻAʻole au i ʻike.I do not know.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “bird” translations and entries manu, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries manu, CC BY-SA 4.0.
