momi
/ˈmo.mi/
The Hawaiian word for pearl is momi.
momi refers to a rounded, shelly concretion produced by certain mollusks.
Meaning: rounded shelly concretion produced by certain mollusks (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
The word has two syllables, pronounced /ˈmo.mi/. The stress is on the first syllable.
Did you know?
- The word momi is sometimes used in a playful or affectionate way to describe a baby's rounded cheeks.
- In certain contexts, the word 'momi' is used to describe a certain type of white, round food, showing how the visual appearance of a pearl can influence culinary naming.
- In ancient Hawaii, actual pearls were rare, so the word momi was frequently used to describe high-value polished shells that served a similar decorative purpose.
Example sentences for Hawaiian are not verified yet.
Example conversation
Ikaika shows Kiana a piece of jewelry.
- IkaikaE nānā i kēia momi.Look at this pearl.
- KianaHe momi nui loa ia!That is a very large pearl!
- IkaikaHe momi mai ka moana kēia.This is a pearl from the ocean.
- KianaHe mea nani ia, Ikaika.It is a beautiful thing, Ikaika.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “pearl” translations and entries momi, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
