uʻi
/ˈu.ʔi/
The Hawaiian word for handsome is uʻi.
The word uʻi is an adjective used to describe an attractive man.
Meaning: of man: attractive (adj)
Which one should you use?
While uʻi is used for a handsome man, you might use other words for different types of beauty. For example, Nani is a common word meaning beautiful or pretty. If you wish to describe something as clean and pure, use maʻemaʻe instead.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has 2 syllables, with the stress on the first syllable. The IPA pronunciation is /ˈu.ʔi/.
Did you know?
- In traditional Hawaiian culture, beauty was often linked to the concept of mana or spiritual power, so calling someone uʻi could imply a certain internal strength.
- While uʻi describes a handsome man, it is also used to describe a beautiful woman, making it a gender-neutral term for physical attractiveness.
- The okina in uʻi, the symbol ʻ, represents a glottal stop, a brief break in the sound similar to the middle of the word 'uh-oh'.
Example conversation
Kai and Kiana are talking about a new friend.
- KaiUʻi kēlā kanaka hou, ʻio?That new man is handsome, right?
- KianaʻAe, he kanaka uʻi loa ʻo ia.Yes, he is a very handsome man.
- KaiHe mea maikaʻi kēlā.That is a good thing.
- KianaʻOia pūExactly.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry uʻi, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
