akua
/aˈku.a/
The Hawaiian word for God is akua.
The term akua refers to a deity. When referring specifically to the single deity of monotheism, the word is capitalized as Akua.
Meaning: deity (noun)
Which one should you use?
The lowercase akua is a general term for deities or spirits, whereas the capitalized Akua is used to name the monotheistic God. The expression Nā Akua Ē is used to mean "Oh Gods" or "Gods above".
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The word akua is used for both the singular "God" and the plural "gods".
How do you pronounce it?
The word has 3 syllables, with the stress on the 2nd syllable. The IPA pronunciation is /aˈku.a/.
Did you know?
- In traditional Hawaiian culture, the word akua does not just refer to heavenly deities, but can also describe a person with immense spiritual power or mana.
- The word akua is a cognate of the Māori atua and Samoan atua and shares a common ancestor from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian.
- In a traditional context, an akua was often associated with a specific natural element or force, such as the sea or fire, rather than an omnipotent creator.
Examples in context
- Ke Akua e kiaʻi mai nei ia ʻoukou.God is watching over you.
- E hāpai i ko ʻoukou mau lima i ke Akua Mana Loa.Lift your hands to the Supreme God.
- He akua kēia.This is a god.
- He akua ka lani.The sky is a god.
Example conversation
Koa and Malia are talking about ancient stories.
- KoaHe akua kou makuahine?Is your mother a god?
- MaliaʻAʻole, he kanaka wale nō ʻo ia.No, she is just a human.
- KoaHe moʻolelo nui kēlā e pili ana i ke akua.That is a great story about the god.
- MaliaʻAe, he moʻolelo kikoʻī kēlā.Yes, that is a special story.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “God” translations and entries akua, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries akua, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Thank you so much , Deborah!