huʻihuʻi
/ˌhu.ʔiˈhu.ʔi/
The English word cold can be translated into Hawaiian in several ways depending on the context. If unsure, use huʻihuʻi. Wiktionary also lists anu and anuanu.
Meaning: having a low temperature (adj)
Ways to say it
| Hawaiian | IPA |
|---|---|
| huʻihuʻi | /ˌhu.ʔiˈhu.ʔi/ |
| anu | /ˈa.nu/ |
| anuanu | /ˌa.nuˈa.nu/ |
| koʻekoʻe | /ˌko.ʔeˈko.ʔe/ |
| maʻalili |
All forms of the word describe having a low temperature, but they are used for different types of cold.
Which one should you use?
The word anuanu is the standard term used to describe cold weather or a cold environment. In contrast, huʻihuʻi is typically used to describe a cold sensation felt by the skin or a cold object.
How do you pronounce it?
The four-syllable word is pronounced /ˌhu.ʔiˈhu.ʔi/. The stress is on the third syllable.
Did you know?
- Because Hawaii is a tropical climate, the language has a highly nuanced set of words for 'cold' to describe very specific types of coolness that an English speaker might just call 'chilly'.
- The word anuanu is created through reduplication, a process where a word is repeated to change its meaning or intensity. In this case, repeating anu creates the more common term for cold weather.
- The term anu shares a common ancestor with the Māori word anu. This connects the Hawaiian concept of cold to the broader Polynesian linguistic family.
Examples in context
- Huʻihuʻi kēia wai.This water is cold.
Example conversation
Noelani and Ikaika are walking outside in the early morning.
- NoelaniIkaika, huʻihuʻi loa ka makani!Ikaika, the wind is very cold!
- IkaikaʻAe, he lā huʻihuʻi kēia.Yes, this is a cold day.
- NoelaniE loaʻa ana kou pūʻulu?Do you have your sweater?
- IkaikaʻAʻole, noho ia ma ka hale.No, it stayed at the house.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “cold” translations and entries huʻihuʻi, anu, anuanu, koʻekoʻe, maʻalili, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries anu, anuanu, huʻihuʻi, koʻekoʻe, CC BY-SA 4.0.
