aliʻi
/aˈli.ʔi/
The Hawaiian word for royal is aliʻi.
The term aliʻi is used to describe someone of royal status, such as a chief or noble, as well as the quality of being royal.
Meaning: of or relating to a monarch or his family (adj)
How does it change in a sentence?
The word aliʻi remains the same whether you are referring to a single chief or multiple chiefs.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has 3 syllables, with the stress on the second syllable: /aˈli.ʔi/.
When do people say it?
In traditional Hawaiian society, aliʻi refers to the hereditary ruling class who possessed mana (spiritual power).
Did you know?
- The status of an aliʻi was often determined by their genealogy, and some even possessed a 'kapu' or sacred status that prohibited commoners from touching them or even their shadow.
- The word aliʻi is linguistically related to the word 'chief' in other Polynesian languages, such as the Maori word 'ariki'.
- In the past, meeting an aliʻi required a physical act of submission called prostration, where one lay flat on the ground to avoid eye contact.
Examples in context
- Nui ka mahalo o ke ao nei i ka mōʻī o HawaiʻiThe world greatly admires the king/queen of Hawaii.
- Haku ʻoi o OʻahuThe royal ruling chief of Oahu.
- Hiki iāʻoe ke heluhelu i nā moʻolelo no nā aliʻi.You can read stories about the royals.
- He nani ka hula a nā mōʻī wahine.The hula of the royal women is beautiful.
- He aliʻi kēia.This is a royal person.
- Hiki i ka aliʻi ke komo.The royal one may enter.
Example conversation
Koa and Malia are visiting a historic site.
- KoaHe wahi aliʻi kēia, ʻē Malia?This is a royal place, right Malia?
- MaliaʻAe, he wahi koʻikoʻi kēia.Yes, this is an important place.
- KoaHe nani ka hale aliʻi.The royal house is beautiful.
- MaliaHe nani loa ia.It is very beautiful.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry aliʻi, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries aliʻi, CC BY-SA 4.0.
