naiʻa
The Hawaiian word for dolphin is naiʻa.
naiʻa is a noun used to refer to an aquatic mammal specifically categorized as a dolphin.
Meaning: aquatic mammal (noun)
Did you know?
- In Hawaiian culture, the naiʻa is often viewed as a ʻaumākua, or an ancestral guardian spirit, that guides travelers and protects fishermen at sea.
- The glottal stop represented by the ʻ in naiʻa is not just a symbol, but a distinct consonant sound that changes the rhythm of the word.
- The term naiʻa is part of a linguistic system where the name of an animal can also act as a metaphor for certain human qualities in poetry.
Examples in context
- Ua ʻike ʻia ka naiʻa i ke kai.The dolphin was seen in the ocean.
- He naiʻa kēia.This is a dolphin.
- ʻAe, he naiʻa kēlā.Yes, that is a dolphin.
Example conversation
Kai and Leilani are looking at the ocean from the beach.
- KaiLeilani, nānā i ka naiʻa!Leilani, look at the dolphin!
- LeilaniʻAe, he mea nani kēlā.Yes, that is a beautiful thing.
- KaiHe naiʻa nui loa ia.That is a very big dolphin.
- LeilaniUila loa ʻo ia!It is so fast!
