kula
/ˈku.la/
The Hawaiian word for gold or golden is kula.
The term kula is used as an adjective to describe something that is made of gold or has a golden color.
Meaning: made of gold, golden (adj)
How do you pronounce it?
The word has two syllables, with the stress on the first syllable: /ˈku.la/.
Did you know?
- The word kula is a linguistic double agent. It can mean 'gold', but it is also the word used for 'school' in modern Hawaiian.
- The term kula shares an unexpected ancestor with the Tongan word tula, which means 'bald' or 'bare'.
- While 'gold' is a specific metal, the word kula is also used in Hawaiian to describe the concept of an open field or plain, reflecting its root meaning of 'bare'.
Example conversation
Noelani and Koa are looking at jewelry in a store.
- NoelaniE nānā i kēia kula!Look at this gold!
- KoaHe nani loa ia.It is very beautiful.
- NoelaniHe kula pono kēia papa.This ring is real gold.
- KoaHe nui pono ka kumuhana.The price must be high.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry kula, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries kula, CC BY-SA 4.0.
