iliili
Pebbles in Hawaiian is iliili.
The term refers to small, smooth stones that have been worn down by the movement of water.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word iliili is used for both the singular 'pebble' and the plural 'pebbles'.
Did you know?
- In Hawaiian, the word iliili is also the name for a specific type of small, smooth stones used as a traditional musical instrument, often played by clicking them together.
- Because the word iliili is a reduplication of ili, it mirrors the physical repetition of many small stones gathered together on a beach.
- In some regional dialects, iliili can refer to the sound of small stones rattling, acting as an onomatopoeic word as well as a noun.
Examples in context
- The traditional Hawaiian game of ʻulu maika involves rolling a wooden disk through a course filled with lao.The traditional Hawaiian game of ʻulu maika involves rolling a wooden disk through a course filled with pebbles.
- He nui nā iliili ma ke ala.There are many pebbles on the path.
Example conversation
Keanu and Noelani are walking along a riverbed.
- KeanuNoelani, nānā i kēia iliili!Noelani, look at this pebble!
- NoelaniHe nani loa ia, e Keanu.It is very beautiful, Keanu.
- KeanuE loaʻa ana hou nā iliili ma kāneka.There will be more pebbles over here.
- NoelaniE hālāwai kāua ma muli.Let's meet back later.
