keleawe
The Hawaiian word for copper is keleawe.
keleawe refers to the reddish-brown metallic chemical element with the atomic number 29, or the metal itself.
Meaning: reddish-brown metallic chemical element with the atomic number 29, the metal made up of this element (noun)
Did you know?
- In the Hawaiian alphabet, the 'w' in keleawe is often pronounced as a 'v' sound depending on the dialect and the surrounding vowels. This changes the rhythmic flow of the word compared to how it is spelled.
- In Hawaiian, the concept of 'metal' as a category is a modern addition, as ancient speakers used a single term for a wide variety of hard materials including basalt and dense hardwoods.
- The word keleawe is a loanword that has been adapted to fit the phonology of the Hawaiian language.
Example conversation
Keanu and Leilani are looking at a piece of metal art.
- KeanuHe nani kēia keleawe, Leilani.This copper is beautiful, Leilani.
- LeilaniʻAe, he ʻalaʻala ia.Yes, it is glowing.
- KeanuHe keleawe pono kēia.This is pure copper.
- LeilaniHe mea waiwai ia.It is a valuable thing.
