wai
/ˈwai̯/
wai is the Hawaiian word for water.
wai is used to refer to the inorganic compound H₂O.
Meaning: inorganic compound H₂O (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈwai̯/
Did you know?
- The word wai is a distant relative of the Malay word air, as both descend from the same ancient Malayo-Polynesian root.
- While wai means water, the Hawaiian language has distinct terms for water depending on its state. For example, wai refers to fresh water, whereas seawater is called kai.
- Ancient Hawaiians used the term wai in the management of loʻi, or irrigated taro patches. The complex system of moving wai via ditches is a hallmark of prehistoric Hawaiian engineering.
Examples in context
- He wai kēia.This is water.
- E ʻimi nei au i ka wai.I am looking for the water.
- Maikaʻi ka wai.The water is good.
Example conversation
Kiana and Koa are hiking on a trail.
- KianaKoa, he wai kou?Koa, do you have water?
- KoaŌġ, aia ka wai ma ke kġna.Yes, the water is in the bag.
- KianaMahalo, e hāʻawi mai i ka wai.Thanks, give me the water.
- KoaŌġ, e nalo ka wai.Yes, the water is gone.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “water” translations and entries wai, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries wai, CC BY-SA 4.0.
