kiʻi
/ˈki.ʔi/
The Hawaiian word for tiki is kiʻi.
The term refers to a tiki.
How do you pronounce it?
The word consists of two syllables, with the stress on the first syllable. In the International Phonetic Alphabet, it is represented as /ˈki.ʔi/.
Did you know?
- The 'tiki culture' of mid-century America, featuring themed bars and cocktails, is a Western invention that bears little resemblance to the actual religious use of kiʻi in Hawaii.
- Because kiʻi means 'image', the word is used in modern Hawaiian to describe a 'picture' or 'photograph' in addition to a statue.
- The word kiʻi shares a common ancestor with the Māori word tiki and stems from a Proto-Central Eastern Polynesian root meaning 'fetch something'.
Examples in context
- He kiʻi kēia.This is a tiki.
- Ua nānā mai ka kiʻi.The tiki looked at me.
- He kiʻi nui kēia.This is a large tiki.
Example conversation
Leilani and Keanu are looking at traditional carvings in a museum.
- LeilaniE nānā i kēia kiʻi.Look at this tiki.
- KeanuʻAe, he mea nani kēia.Yes, this is a beautiful thing.
- LeilaniHe kiʻi hou kēia?Is this a new tiki?
- KeanuʻAʻole, he kiʻi kahiko kēia.No, this is an ancient tiki.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry kiʻi, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries kiʻi, CC BY-SA 4.0.
