How to Say “My King” in Hawaiian

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kuʻu aliʻi
In Hawaiian, "my king" is translated as kuʻu aliʻi.
The phrase kuʻu aliʻi is used to address a high-ranking chief or monarch with deep respect and personal devotion.

What does it mean word for word?

kuʻu is the possessive form of "my" used specifically for terms of endearment or intimacy, and aliʻi means chief or king.

How does it change in a sentence?

In Hawaiian, the possessive kuʻu is used instead of the standard koʻu because the relationship between a subject and their monarch is considered an intimate or deeply personal bond.

Did you know?

  • In ancient Hawaii, the aliʻi were so sacred that commoners were often forbidden from touching their shadows.
  • The word kuʻu descends from the Proto-Polynesian root *tuku, which meant 'let go' or 'release'.
  • While aliʻi means king, the specific term for the absolute ruler of all the islands is Mōʻī.

Examples in context

  • E komo mai, koʻu aliʻi.
    Welcome, my king.
  • Aloha, kuʻu aliʻi!
    Hello, my king!
  • He nani kuʻu aliʻi.
    My king is beautiful.

Example conversation

A subject speaks to the king in the royal court.

  1. Ikaika

    Ua hiki mai ke kahu, kuʻu aliʻi.
    The caretaker has arrived, my king.
  2. Malia

    E kīkī ʻia mai ʻōna mau mea.
    Bring his things in.
  3. Ikaika

    ʻAe, e hana ʻia kēlā, kuʻu aliʻi.
    Yes, that will be done, my king.
  4. Malia

    Mahalo, Ikaika.
    Thank you, Ikaika.

Sources

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