pua liʻi
The Hawaiian phrase for "little flower" is pua liʻi.
This phrase is used to describe a flower that is small in size.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the noun pua (flower) and the adjective liʻi (small).
How does it change in a sentence?
While pua liʻi is the standard phrase, the adjective liʻi is often reduplicated to liʻiliʻi to emphasize the smallness or to function as a standard adjective in descriptive sentences, resulting in the form pua liʻiliʻi.
Did you know?
- In Hawaiian, the word pua can be used to describe the foam on a wave or the froth of a drink, as these resemble small flowers.
- The word pua is used in Hawaiian as a term of endearment for a child or a loved one, regardless of whether they are actually flower-like.
- The word pua shares an ancient ancestor with the Malay word bunga, meaning 'flower'.
Examples in context
- Polū ka pua liʻiliʻi.The little flower is blue.This sentence is useful for describing the color blue of the pua liʻi.Tatoeba #4856425 by nonong, translation #10161005 by ToxicFriu
- Poni ka pua liʻiliʻi.The little flower is purple.This sentence is useful for describing the color purple of the pua liʻi.Tatoeba #4856427 by nonong, translation #10161006 by ToxicFriu
- ʻUlaʻula ka pua liʻiliʻi.The little flower is red.This sentence is useful for describing the color red of the pua liʻi.Tatoeba #4855869 by nonong, translation #10161015 by ToxicFriu
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Koa and Leilani are looking at a garden.
- KoaHe pua liʻi kēia, ʻē Leilani?This is a little flower, right Leilani?
- LeilaniʻAe, he pua liʻi nō ia.Yes, it is indeed a little flower.
- KoaHe nani ia pua liʻi.That little flower is beautiful.
- LeilaniHe mea nani loa ia.It is a very beautiful thing.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries liʻi, pua, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
