liʻiliʻi
/li.ʔiˈli.ʔi/
The Hawaiian word for tiny is liʻiliʻi.
liʻiliʻi is an adjective used to describe something that is very small.
Meaning: very small (adj)
How does it change in a sentence?
As an adjective, liʻiliʻi does not change its form based on gender or number.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has 4 syllables and the stress is on the 3rd syllable: /li.ʔiˈli.ʔi/.
Did you know?
- Hawaiian uses a very small set of consonants, and liʻiliʻi showcases the reliance on the 'l' sound, which in some related Polynesian languages is replaced by 'r'.
- While liʻiliʻi means 'tiny', the root word liʻi is also used in Hawaiian to describe a 'junior' or 'younger' sibling in some family contexts.
- The glottal stop, written as the ʻokina in liʻiliʻi, is a full consonant in Hawaiian. If it is omitted, the meaning and pronunciation of the word change entirely.
Examples in context
- Keiki liʻiliʻiLittle child
- He liʻiliʻi kēia iʻa.This fish is tiny.
- Liʻiliʻi ka hale.The house is tiny.
- Ua ʻike ʻia ka poʻo liʻiliʻi.The tiny head was seen.
Example conversation
Malia and Ikaika are looking at a small insect on a leaf.
- MaliaHe pōpoki liʻiliʻi kēia, ʻio?This is a tiny bug, right?
- IkaikaʻAe, liʻiliʻi loa ia.Yes, it is very tiny.
- MaliaHe nani ia.It is beautiful.
- IkaikaʻAe, he nani ka mea liʻiliʻi.Yes, the tiny thing is beautiful.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry liʻiliʻi, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
