🌺 Hawaiian phrases

How to Say "Mother" in Hawaiian

The SPAIKING TeamJuly 27, 2026
mākuahine
"Mother" in Hawaiian · say it like mah-koo-ah-hee-neh

The most natural way to say "Mother" in Hawaiian is mākuahine. 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

mākuahine
standard term used in most contexts
māmā
more casual and affectionate term

When to use it

Use 'mākuahine' when referring to your mother in a respectful manner. 'Māmā' can be used in more casual or affectionate situations. Both terms are widely understood and accepted in Hawaiian culture.

Say it out loud, get corrected

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

Examples in Hawaiian

HawaiianEnglish
Aloha, e nānā i ka mākuahine.Hello, look at the mother.
E komo mai, māmā.Come in, mom.
Common mistake
Some learners mistakenly use 'mā' instead of 'mākuahine' for mother, which is incorrect.

The fastest way to remember it

Vocabulary you only read fades fast. Vocabulary you say out loud sticks. Hear mākuahine, 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 difference between 'mākuahine' and 'māmā'?

'Mākuahine' is more formal, while 'māmā' is casual and affectionate.

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