ʻaina ahiahi
/ˈʔai̯.na ˌa.hiˈa.hi/
The English word "dinner" is translated into Hawaiian as ʻaina ahiahi.
The phrase is used to describe an evening meal.
Meaning: evening meal (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of ʻaina (food/to eat) and ahiahi (evening), literally meaning "evening meal".
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /ˈʔai̯.na ˌa.hiˈa.hi/. It has 6 syllables, with the stress on the 1st syllable.
Did you know?
- In traditional Hawaiian culture, the largest meal of the day was often eaten at midday rather than in the evening, meaning ʻaina ahiahi was historically lighter than a modern dinner.
- The word ʻaina can also mean 'land' or 'country' in Hawaiian, creating a linguistic connection between the thing one eats and the earth that provides it.
- While ʻaina ahiahi is the literal term for 'evening meal', Hawaiians often use the word pūpū to describe the appetizers or small bites shared before the main dinner.
Examples in context
- He ʻaina ahiahi kēia.This is dinner.
- E hoʻomākaukau no ka ʻaina ahiahi.Prepare for dinner.
- Maikaʻi ka ʻaina ahiahi.The dinner was good.
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing their plans for the evening.
- KianaKiana, he aha ka ʻaina ahiahi?Kiana, what is for dinner?
- KeanuHe iʻa ka ʻaina ahiahi, Keanu.Dinner is fish, Keanu.
- KianaMaikaʻi kēlā!That is great!
- KeanuE hele mai i ka naiʻa.Come to the table.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “dinner” translations and entries ʻaina ahiahi, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
