keiki
The Hawaiian word for child is keiki.
keiki is a noun used to refer to a child, such as a son or a daughter or more generally to someone's offspring.
Meaning: son or daughter, someone's child (noun)
Did you know?
- The word keiki is often used in the context of 'keiki o ka ʻaina', which means 'children of the land', a term used to denote a deep, spiritual connection to the islands.
- The word keiki shares a common ancestor with the word for 'child' in many other Polynesian languages, such as the Mangarevan teiti, though the spelling has shifted over time.
- Unlike English, which uses 'children' for the plural, keiki remains the same word whether referring to one child or many children.
Examples in context
- He noho maika'i kēlā kamali'i!That child is sitting/staying well.
- He keiki kēlā.That is a child.
- He keiki pono kēia keiki.This child is a good child.
- Hiki iāʻu ke kōkua i ke keiki.I can help the child.
Example conversation
Leilani and Ikaika are talking about their family.
- LeilaniHe aha kou keiki e hana nei?What is your child doing?
- IkaikaHana ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi nei ʻo ia.He is practicing Hawaiian.
- LeilaniMaikaʻi kēlā no ka keiki.That is good for the child.
- IkaikaʻAe, makemake ʻo ia e aʻo.Yes, he likes to learn.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “child” translations and entries keiki, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries keiki, CC BY-SA 4.0.
