helu
/ˈhe.lu/
The Hawaiian word for to count is helu.
The word helu is used as a verb meaning to enumerate or determine a number. It is also used as a noun to refer to a number or a count itself.
Meaning: to enumerate or determine number (verb)
Which one should you use?
While helu is the standard verb for counting, the reduplicated form heluhelu is used to express the act of counting more carefully or repeatedly.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb helu (to count) is identical in form to the noun helu (number/count).
How do you pronounce it?
The word has two syllables, pronounced /ˈhe.lu/. The stress is on the first syllable.
Did you know?
- The word helu shares a deep linguistic root with the word for 'comb'. This suggests a conceptual link between the teeth of a comb and the act of counting.
- In traditional Hawaiian culture, to helu was not just for math, but also meant the act of reciting and counting names in a genealogy to preserve history.
- Counting in Hawaiian traditionally followed a base-10 system, but the terminology for higher numbers often shifted to describe 'groups' or 'bundles'.
Examples in context
- Helu i nā kumu waiwai.Count the assets.
- Helu i ka hola.Count the hours.
Example conversation
Malia and Koa are sorting fruit in a basket.
- MaliaE helu i nā apple, e Koa.Count the apples, Koa.
- KoaHe nui kēia mau apple!There are many apples!
- MaliaE helu wale i nā apple.Just count the apples.
- KoaʻO elua puluhulei nā apple.There are twenty apples.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “count” translations and entries helu, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries helu, CC BY-SA 4.0.
