🌺 Hawaiian phrases

How to Say "Cat" in Hawaiian

The SPAIKING TeamJuly 27, 2026
pūlehu
"Cat" in Hawaiian · say it like poo-leh-hoo

The most natural way to say "Cat" in Hawaiian is pūlehu. Tap the speaker above to hear it, then say it back out loud. That is the fastest way to make it stick.

Other ways to say it

pūlehu ʻīlio
used to refer to a cat in a more affectionate or playful way

When to use it

You can use 'pūlehu' when talking about a cat in general. It is suitable for both casual and formal conversations. If you want to express affection, you might use 'pūlehu ʻīlio'.

Say it out loud, get corrected

Reading it is not the same as saying it. Practice "Cat" and thousands more with an AI coach that listens.

Examples in Hawaiian

HawaiianEnglish
He pūlehu koʻu mau keiki.My children have a cat.
Common mistake
Learners often confuse 'pūlehu' with other animal names, so it's important to remember it specifically means 'cat'.

The fastest way to remember it

Vocabulary you only read fades fast. Vocabulary you say out loud sticks. Hear pūlehu, repeat it a few times, then use it in a real sentence. SPAIKING lets you practice exactly that, speaking Hawaiian with a coach that corrects your pronunciation in real time. You can start with two free conversations.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Hawaiian word for a kitten?

The word for kitten is 'pūlehu ʻōpio'.

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