moʻo
/ˈmo.ʔo/
In Hawaiian, the word for gecko is moʻo.
The term moʻo refers to a lizard of the family Gekkonidae.
Meaning: lizard of the family Gekkonidae (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /ˈmo.ʔo/. It has two syllables, and the stress is on the first syllable.
When do people say it?
In Hawaiian culture, the word moʻo can refer to a gecko or a legendary lizard-like spirit or guardian.
Did you know?
- The Hawaiian moʻo is a linguistic relative of the Māori word moko, which refers to the traditional permanent skin markings or tattoos of the Māori people.
- In Hawaiian mythology, moʻo are not just lizards but powerful shapeshifting spirits that often take the form of beautiful women to guard freshwater ponds.
- The moʻo is often depicted as a protector of the land and water, and offending one by polluting a pond was believed to bring bad luck.
Examples in context
- Eia kekahi mōlī ma ia wahi.There is a gecko in that place.
- He moʻo kēlā.That is a gecko.
- Ua ʻike ʻia ka moʻo ma ka ʻāina.The gecko was seen in the field.
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.
