luahine
/ˌlu.aˈhi.ne/
The Hawaiian word for old (of a living being) is luahine. Wiktionary also lists ʻelemakule.
Meaning: of a living being: having lived for relatively many years (adj)
Ways to say it
| Hawaiian | IPA |
|---|---|
| luahine | /ˌlu.aˈhi.ne/ |
| ʻelemakule | /ˌʔe.le.maˈku.le/ |
This term is used to describe a living being that has lived for relatively many years.
Which one should you use?
While luahine is specifically used to refer to an old woman, ʻelemakule is another form used to describe being old.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /ˌlu.aˈhi.ne/. It has 4 syllables, with the stress on the 3rd syllable.
Did you know?
- While luahine and ʻelemakule refer to people, Hawaiian uses entirely different words for 'old' when describing inanimate objects like a house or a tool.
- In traditional Hawaiian culture, the status of being ʻelemakule or luahine often brought increased political influence and authority within the family hierarchy.
- The word luahine shares an ancestral root with the word for 'wife' in some Proto-Polynesian languages.
Examples in context
- He luahine kēia.This is an old woman.
- He luahine kēlā.That is an old woman.
- He luahine ka kui.The aunt is an old woman.
Example conversation
Malia and Koa are talking about a family member.
- MaliaHe aha ka makuahine?What is the mother like?
- KoaHe wahine luahine ʻo ia.She is an old woman.
- MaliaHe haʻahaʻa pono ʻo ia?Is she very humble?
- KoaʻAe, he wahine maikaʻi ʻo ia.Yes, she is a good woman.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “old” translations and entries luahine, ʻelemakule, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries luahine, ʻelemakule, CC BY-SA 4.0.
