aliʻi
/aˈli.ʔi/
The Hawaiian word for king can be expressed as mōʻī or aliʻi.
Meaning: a male of a royal family who is the supreme ruler of his nation (noun)
Ways to say it
| Hawaiian | IPA |
|---|---|
| aliʻi | /aˈli.ʔi/ |
| mōʻī | /moːˈʔiː/ |
In Hawaiian, both words can translate to king, but they carry different nuances. mōʻī is used for a monarch or supreme ruler, while aliʻi refers more broadly to the entire class of nobility or high-ranking chiefs who possess lineage and mana (spiritual power).
Which one should you use?
While both terms are used for a king, mōʻī specifically refers to a supreme ruler or monarch. In contrast, aliʻi is a more general term that can refer to any member of the noble class or high-ranking individuals, not just the highest ruler.
How do you pronounce it?
The word aliʻi has 3 syllables, with the stress on the 2nd of 3 syllables. The IPA is /aˈli.ʔi/.
Did you know?
- In traditional Hawaiian culture, the status of an aliʻi was so sacred that commoners were often forbidden from stepping on their shadow.
- The word mōʻī may have originally referred to a 'temple image' or 'idol' rather than a human ruler.
- A person's rank as an aliʻi was determined by the combined lineage of both their mother and father.
Examples in context
- Kalani became the aliʻi of his tribe, leading his people with wisdom and strength.Kalani became the king of his tribe, leading his people with wisdom and strength.
- The moʻi of Hawaiʻi was revered by the people for his just rule.The king of Hawaiʻi was revered by the people for his just rule.
- Ua loaʻa i ka aliʻi ka pono.The king received the benefit.
Example conversation
Kai and Malia are looking at a historical painting.
- KaiO wai kēia aliʻi?Who is this king?
- MaliaʻO Kamehameha kēlā.That is Kamehameha.
- KaiHe aliʻi manaʻo kēlā.He was a thoughtful king.
- MaliaʻAe, he aliʻi maikaʻi kēlā.Yes, he was a good king.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “king” translations and entries aliʻi, mōʻī, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries aliʻi, mōʻī, CC BY-SA 4.0.
