wīwī
The Hawaiian word for skinny is wīwī.
The term wīwī is an adjective used to describe someone or something that is thin.
Meaning: thin (adj)
Did you know?
- The word wīwī is also the name for the 'creeping grass' or certain types of thin, wiry plants found in the islands.
- Traditional Hawaiian descriptions of the body often focus on strength and utility rather than thinness or thickness.
- The repetition of the syllable in wīwī is a common linguistic pattern in Hawaiian, often used to create words or provide emphasis.
Example conversation
Koa and Kiana are looking at a small cat.
- KoaHe pōpoki wīwī kēia, ʻē Kiana?This is a skinny cat, right Kiana?
- KianaʻAe, wīwī loa ʻo ia.Yes, it is very skinny.
- KoaPono ʻo ia i ka meaʻai.It needs some food.
- KianaE kōkua kākou iā ia.Let us help it.
