Adjectives

1. Nui

   Big

   Usage

   For asking for another size; use it with a gesture

2. Liʻiliʻi

   Small

   Usage

   For describing clothing or room size

3. Kaumaha

   Heavy

   Usage

   For excess baggage, or asking someone to lift something

4. Māmā

   Light (weight)

   Usage

   About weight only — in many languages this is a different word from “bright”

5. Pipiʻi

   Expensive

   Usage

   The opening move in a haggle; pair it with a face

6. Emi

   Cheap

   Usage

   For asking whether a cheaper option exists

7. Wela

   Hot (thing)

   Usage

   About food, drink, or water — not the same word as hot weather

   Grammar Note

   "Wela" is a hot object; hot weather is the clause "wela ka lā" (the day is hot).

8. Huʻihuʻi

   Cold (thing)

   Usage

   About drinks and food — not the same word as cold weather

   Grammar Note

   "Huʻihuʻi" is cold to the touch; cold air is "anu."

9. Hou

   New

   Usage

   For checking whether something is unused

10. Kahiko

    Old (thing)

    Usage

    For objects only; used of people it is rude in many languages

    Grammar Note

    "Kahiko" is for objects; it is not applied to people.

11. ʻŌpio

    Young

    Usage

    About a person’s age; a small-talk word

12. ʻElemakule

    Old (person)

    Usage

    The dedicated word for people; pick the respectful one

    Grammar Note

    "ʻElemakule" is an old man and "luahine" an old woman; the honorific "kūpuna" is the respectful term for elders.

13. Maʻemaʻe

    Clean

    Usage

    For a clean room or clean water, and for a beautiful view

14. Lepo

    Dirty

    Usage

    Useful when asking to change rooms

15. Maikaʻi

    Good

    Usage

    The all-purpose word for agreement and approval

16. ʻIno

    Bad

    Usage

    For saying that your health or an item’s quality is poor

17. Kokoke

    Near

    Usage

    For checking whether somewhere is within walking distance

18. Mamao

    Far

    Usage

    Tells you whether you need transport

19. Mua

    Early

    Usage

    About clock time; in many languages a different word from “fast”

    Grammar Note

    "Mua" means ahead in time, i.e. early; fast in speed is "wikiwiki."

20. Lohi

    Late

    Usage

    About clock time; in many languages a different word from “slow”

    Grammar Note

    "Lohi" covers both lateness and slowness, so add context when you mean the clock.

21. Lehulehu

    Many

    Usage

    About quantity or how crowded somewhere is

22. Kakaʻikahi

    Few

    Usage

    Also useful for asking for a smaller portion

23. Wela ka lā

    Hot (weather)

    Usage

    About the weather — a different word from a hot object

24. Anu ka lā

    Cold (weather)

    Usage

    About the weather — a different word from a cold object

25. Nani

    Cute

    Usage

    Used for people and things; closer to "beautiful/lovely"

26. ʻOno

    Delicious

    Usage

    The word you will reach for most often at the table; famous even outside Hawaiʻi

27. Kupaianaha

    Amazing

    Usage

    An expression of surprise and admiration

28. Leʻaleʻa

    Fun

    Usage

    For describing an experience itself

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