hīhīmanu
The Hawaiian word for stingray is hīhīmanu.
hīhīmanu is a noun used to refer to a venomous ray belonging to the orders Rajiformes or Myliobatiformes.
Meaning: venomous ray of the orders Rajiformes and Myliobatiformes (noun)
Did you know?
- The term manu is used in Hawaiian to describe various animals that 'fly' or glide through the water, not just those with feathers.
- In Hawaiian culture, many sea creatures like the hīhīmanu were historically seen as signs or messengers from the gods, depending on where they washed ashore.
- The word hīhīmanu is a compound of hīhī, which can mean 'to sting' or 'to be sharp', and manu, which usually translates to 'bird' in many contexts.
Examples in context
- Ua ʻike au i ka hīhīmanu.I saw a stingray.
Example conversation
Ikaika and Noelani are swimming at the beach.
- IkaikaNoelani, e nānā i kēlā hīhīmanu!Noelani, look at that stingray!
- NoelaniHe nui kēlā hīhīmanu.That stingray is big.
- IkaikaE akāka kākou mai iā ia.Let's move away from it.
- NoelaniʻAe, e hele kākou.Yes, let's go.
