mauna
/ˈmau̯.na/
The Hawaiian word for mountain is mauna or kuahiwi.
Meaning: large mass of earth and rock (noun)
Ways to say it
| Hawaiian | IPA |
|---|---|
| mauna | /ˈmau̯.na/ |
| kuahiwi |
Both words describe a large mass of earth and rock, but they are used to distinguish the scale and nature of the landform.
Which one should you use?
mauna is used for large, significant or volcanic mountains. In contrast, kuahiwi often refers to smaller hills or upland areas.
How do you pronounce it?
The word mauna is pronounced /ˈmau̯.na/. It has 2 syllables, with the stress on the first syllable.
Did you know?
- In Hawaiian culture, the mauna is often viewed as a living entity with a spiritual connection to the ancestors.
- The word kuahiwi is built from kua, meaning 'back', and hiwi, meaning 'ridge'. It literally describes the 'back' of a ridge.
- The term mauna is used even when the peak is submerged, such as describing the base of a mountain on the ocean floor.
Examples in context
- Ke ʻike nei au i ka mauna.I see the mountain.
Example conversation
Kai and Kiana are looking at a landscape.
- KaiHe mauna nani kēia, ʻauana?Is this a beautiful mountain, Kiana?
- KianaʻAe, he mauna nani loa ia.Yes, it is a very beautiful mountain.
- KaiHiki paha kāua ke hele?Can we perhaps go there?
- KianaʻAe, e hele kāua!Yes, let's go!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “mountain” translations and entries mauna, kuahiwi, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries kuahiwi, mauna, CC BY-SA 4.0.
