kaumaha
/ˌkau̯ˈma.ha/
The English word 'sad' can be translated into Hawaiian as either kaumaha or luʻuluʻu.
Meaning: feeling sorrow (adj)
Ways to say it
| Hawaiian | IPA |
|---|---|
| kaumaha | /ˌkau̯ˈma.ha/ |
| luʻuluʻu |
kaumaha refers to a heavy-hearted sadness or a sense of gravity, while luʻuluʻu describes a more unsettled feeling of being distressed or agitated.
Which one should you use?
kaumaha is the standard term for feeling sad or sorrowful, often implying a sense of weight. In contrast, luʻuluʻu is used when the sadness is accompanied by agitation or being upset.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /ˌkau̯ˈma.ha/. It has 3 syllables, with the stress on the 2nd syllable.
Did you know?
- The word kaumaha shares a linguistic ancestor with the Proto-Polynesian word for an 'offering to the gods'.
- While kaumaha translates to 'sad', it can also be used to describe a physical object that is heavy or a situation that is burdensome.
- The word kaumaha is built from a root that originally meant 'heavy', which is why it carries the connotation of a weight on the heart.
Examples in context
- He kaumaha koʻu naʻau.My heart is sad.
Example conversation
Kai and Malia are talking about a movie.
- KaiKaumaha ʻoe e Malia?Are you sad, Malia?
- MaliaʻAe, kaumaha loa au.Yes, I am very sad.
- KaiHe moʻolelo kaumaha ia.It is a sad story.
- MaliaʻAe, he moʻolelo kino maka ia.Yes, it is a tear-jerker.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “sad” translations and entries kaumaha, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries kaumaha, CC BY-SA 4.0.
