moʻopuna
/mo.ʔoˈpu.na/
The Hawaiian word for grandchildren is moʻopuna.
moʻopuna is used to refer to the children of one's own children.
What does it mean word for word?
The word is composed of mōʻo, meaning lineage or generation and puna, meaning descendant or offspring.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word moʻopuna is used for both singular (grandchild) and plural (grandchildren) forms.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has 4 syllables, with the stress on the 3rd syllable. The IPA pronunciation is /mo.ʔoˈpu.na/.
Did you know?
- The word mōʻo also means 'lizard' in Hawaiian. While the context of moʻopuna refers to lineage, the image of the lizard is often associated with ancestral guardianship in Hawaiian mythology.
- The word moʻopuna is a direct linguistic relative of the Māori word mokopuna, used in New Zealand to mean the same thing.
- The term moʻopuna reflects a kinship system where the distinction between a grandchild and a great-grandchild is often blurred. In many contexts, any descendant beyond the second generation is grouped under this general term.
Examples in context
- I am blessed to have six moʻopuna, each bringing joy and laughter to my life.I am blessed to have six grandchildren, each bringing joy and laughter to my life.
- Ke makemake nei koʻu moʻopuna.My grandchild wants this.
- Hiki iā iaʻu ke ʻike i koʻu moʻopuna.I can see my grandchild.
Example conversation
Leilani and Ikaika are looking at old family photos.
- LeilaniHe nani kēlā moʻopuna.That grandchild is beautiful.
- IkaikaʻAe, he like ʻo ia me kona makuahine.Yes, she is just like her mother.
- LeilaniHe nui kou moʻopuna i kēia manawa?Do you have many grandchildren now?
- IkaikaʻEhē, ʻelihā lākou.Yes, there are four of them.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry moʻopuna, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries moʻopuna, CC BY-SA 4.0.
