ʻāina
/ˈʔaːi̯.na/
The Hawaiian word for land is ʻāina.
ʻāina is used to refer to the land, territory or country, specifically describing parts of the Earth that are not covered by oceans or other bodies of water.
Meaning: part of Earth that is not covered by oceans or other bodies of water (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word ʻāina literally refers to the land, territory or country.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /ˈʔaːi̯.na/ and has 2 syllables. The stress is on the first syllable.
When do people say it?
In Hawaiian culture, the term ʻāina carries a deep spiritual connection to the land, which is viewed as a provider and a living entity.
Did you know?
- In traditional Hawaiian thought, ʻāina is often described as an elder sibling to humans. This familial kinship explains why the land is treated with the respect and love one would give a family member.
- The glottal stop at the beginning of ʻāina, marked by the symbol ʻ, is a full consonant. Omitting it or treating it as a mere breath can change the meaning of words in Hawaiian.
- Historically, the land was not 'owned' in the Western sense, but held in trust. The ʻāina belonged to the gods and was managed by chiefs for the benefit of the community.
Examples in context
- E mālama kākou i ka ʻāina e!Let us all take care of the land!
- He ʻāina kēia.This is land.
Example conversation
Two friends are looking at a landscape.
- MaliaE nānā i ka ʻāina, e Kai.Look at the land, Kai.
- KaiHe ʻāina nani loa kēia.This is very beautiful land.
- MaliaʻAe, he mea waiwai kēia.Yes, this is a valuable thing.
- KaiPono kākou e mālama i ka ʻāina.We must take care of the land.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry ʻāina, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
