kālā
The Hawaiian word for money is kālā.
kālā is the term used for money. While its primary meaning is specific to a unit of currency, it is commonly used to refer to money in general across many different contexts.
Meaning: currency (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word kālā is a loanword from the English word 'dollar'.
Did you know?
- Before the word kālā entered the language, ancient Hawaiians did not have a formal currency system and relied instead on a complex network of reciprocity and gift-giving.
- Because Hawaiian has no consonant clusters, any English word used as a loanword for money or finance must be modified to end in a vowel or a specific consonant.
- While kālā means money, the concept of value in traditional Hawaiian society was often tied to mana, a spiritual power that cannot be bought or sold.
Examples in context
- ʻAia ka kālā.The money is here.
- He nui ka kālā.The money is a lot.
- ʻO kēia ka kālā i hāʻawi ʻia.This is the money that was given.
Example conversation
Malia and Koa are at a small store.
- MaliaKoa, aia kou kālā.Koa, here is your money.
- KoaMahalo nui, Malia.Thank you very much, Malia.
- MaliaHe nui ka kālā?Is it enough money?
- KoaʻAe, he nui ia.Yes, it is enough.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “money” translations and entries kālā, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
