wailele
The Hawaiian word for waterfall is wailele.
wailele is a noun used to describe a flow of water over the edge of a cliff.
Meaning: flow of water over the edge of a cliff (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is a compound of wai (water) and lele (to fly or leap/fall).
Did you know?
- The concept of wai is deeply linked to wealth and prosperity, and the word for 'wealth' is waiwai, which literally means 'double water'.
- In Hawaiian culture, wai refers specifically to fresh water, distinguishing it from kai, which means salt water.
- In Hawaiian, the essence of a waterfall is captured by the verb lele, which is the same root used to describe the movement of birds or insects in flight.
Examples in context
- E hele kākou i ke wailele ma Kaua'i.Let's go to the waterfall in Kaua'i.
- He wailele nui kēia.This is a large waterfall.
- Ua ʻike au i ka wailele.I saw the waterfall.
Example conversation
Kai and Kiana are hiking in the forest.
- KaiKiana, loaʻa iā ʻoe ka wailele?Kiana, do you see the waterfall?
- KianaʻAe, ke lohe au i ka wailele.Yes, I can hear the waterfall.
- KaiHe wailele nui kēia!This is a huge waterfall!
- KianaHe mea nani loa ia.It is a very beautiful thing.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “waterfall” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
