lani
/ˈla.ni/
The Hawaiian word lani means sky or heaven.
lani is used to refer to the sky or the heavens.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has two syllables, and the stress is on the first syllable: /ˈla.ni/.
Did you know?
- The Hawaiian lani is a distant relative of the Malay word langit, as both descend from a prehistoric root used by seafaring peoples across the Pacific and Indian Oceans.
- The word lani is often used in Hawaiian names to denote royal or noble lineage, effectively meaning 'heavenly' or 'chiefly'.
- In traditional Hawaiian culture, the concept of lani encompasses not just the physical atmosphere but also the spiritual realm where ancestors reside.
Examples in context
- Eia koʻu kaikaina, ʻo Lani ia.This is my younger sibling, Lani.
- Hele i ka lani.Go to the heavens.
- Nui ka lani.The sky is vast.
Example conversation
Koa and Leilani are looking up at the clouds together.
- KoaHe nani ka lani i kēia lā, ʻe Leilani.The sky is beautiful today, Leilani.
- LeilaniʻAe, he mea kōkī nā puaʻaike.Yes, the clouds are fluffy.
- KoaHe wowohilikina ka lani.The heavens are clear.
- LeilaniHe lā maikaʻi kēia.This is a good day.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry lani, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries lani, CC BY-SA 4.0.
