kaikamahine
/ˌkai̯.ka.maˈhi.ne/
The Hawaiian word for daughter is kaikamahine.
In Hawaiian, kaikamahine is used to refer to a daughter, though its primary meaning is 'girl' or 'young woman'.
Meaning: female offspring (noun)
Which one should you use?
While kaikamahine is the word used for daughter, its primary meaning is 'girl' or 'young woman'.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has 5 syllables, with the stress on the 4th syllable: /ˌkai̯.ka.maˈhi.ne/.
Did you know?
- Hawaiian kinship terms are often gender-neutral or flexible, but kaikamahine is one of the few that explicitly specifies the female gender.
- In ancient Hawaii, a kaikamahine of high nobility might be addressed with specific honorifics that distinguish her rank from a commoner's daughter.
- In many Hawaiian genealogical chants, or 'mele', specific terms for female descendants are used to establish sacred lineages.
Examples in context
- He kaikamahine koʻu.I have a daughter.
Example conversation
Koa and Noelani are talking about their families.
- KoaHe aha kou kaikamahine?What is your daughter like?
- NoelaniHōʻikeʻike ʻo ia a me ka ʻakaʻaka.She is expressive and cheerful.
- KoaHe kaikamahine naʻauao ʻo ia.She is a smart daughter.
- NoelaniMahalo, Koa.Thank you, Koa.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “daughter” translations and entries kaikamahine, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
