ʻekahi
/ʔeˈka.hi/
The Hawaiian word for one is ʻekahi. Wiktionary also lists kahi.
Meaning: cardinal number 1 (num)
Ways to say it
| Hawaiian | IPA |
|---|---|
| ʻekahi | /ʔeˈka.hi/ |
| kahi | /ˈka.hi/ |
The word is used to represent the cardinal number 1.
Which one should you use?
While ʻekahi is the standard form, kahi is a shortened version used in more casual speech.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has 3 syllables, with the stress on the 2nd syllable. The IPA pronunciation is /ʔeˈka.hi/.
Did you know?
- The root of the word kahi is linked to the ancient concept of sharpening or whittling something to a point.
- The word kahi can also be interpreted as a combination of the words ka and wahi, which translates to 'the place'.
- The glottal stop at the beginning of ʻekahi, written as ʻ, is a full consonant in Hawaiian and cannot be skipped in formal speech.
Examples in context
- ʻekahi, ʻelua, ʻekoluOne, two, threeThis example shows a sequence of counting: ʻekahi.
- Ho'okahi nō manawa i loa'a iaʻuThere was only one time it happened to me.
Example conversation
Kiana and Keanu are looking at some fruit.
- KianaE lawe mai ʻekahi ʻapple, Keanu.Bring one apple, Keanu.
- KeanuHe ʻekahi wale nō?Just one?
- KianaʻAe, ʻekahi wale nō.Yes, just one.
- KeanuʻOia ka ʻekahiHere is the one.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “one” translations and entries ʻekahi, kahi, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries kahi, ʻekahi, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0.
