moʻo
/ˈmo.ʔo/
The Hawaiian word for dragon is moʻo.
The term moʻo is used to refer to a dragon or a mythical lizard-like creature.
Meaning: mythical creature (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /ˈmo.ʔo/. It has 2 syllables, and the stress is on the 1st syllable.
When do people say it?
In Hawaiian mythology, a moʻo is often a shape-shifting lizard or dragon-like spirit that can act as a deity or a guardian.
Did you know?
- The word moʻo is used to describe a 'genealogy' or 'lineage' when appearing in the phrase moʻokūʻauhau.
- The word moʻo is a linguistic relative of the Māori word moko, which refers to the traditional facial tattoos in New Zealand.
- Unlike European dragons, which are often associated with fire, the Hawaiian moʻo is deeply tied to water and moisture.
Examples in context
- He moʻo ka mea i ka moʻolelo.The creature in the story is a dragon.
- Ua ʻike ka keiki i ka moʻo.The child saw the dragon.
Example conversation
Leilani and Ikaika are looking at a book of myths.
- LeilaniE nānā i kēia moʻo!Look at this dragon!
- IkaikaHe moʻo nani ia.That is a beautiful dragon.
- LeilaniHe moʻo maikaʻi ʻo ia?Is it a good dragon?
- IkaikaʻAe, he moʻo maikaʻi ia.Yes, it is a good dragon.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry moʻo, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries moʻo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
