Older and Younger Siblings
Sibling words depend on age and on whether the two are the same sex.
How It Works
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| kaikuaʻana | older sibling of the same sex |
| kaikaina | younger sibling of the same sex |
| kaikunāne | the brother of a woman |
| kaikuahine | the sister of a man |
The Reference Grammar writes the first word as kaikuaʻana and also as kaikuʻana, with the middle shortened, and it shows ko lāua kaikuahine “their sister” said of two men. English Wiktionary agrees with the table. The Reference Grammar puts brothers and sisters in the o class, so koʻu kaikuaʻana and kona kaikaina are the usual forms. The sources differ on some details, so ask the speaker you are learning from, and listen for how your own family says these words.
Examples (4)
- Ke kōkua nei koʻu kaikuaʻana iaʻu ma ka hana.
My older sibling, the same sex as me, is helping me with the work.
Kaikuaʻana is older and the same sex.
- Ua hele koʻu kaikaina i ke kula.
My younger sibling, the same sex as me, went to school.
Kaikaina is younger and the same sex.
- Ke noho nei koʻu kaikunāne ma Maui.
My brother lives on Maui, said by a woman.
Kaikunāne is used by a woman for her brother.
- Ke hana nei koʻu kaikuahine ma ka hale kūʻai.
My sister works at the store, said by a man.
Kaikuahine is used by a man for his sister.
How It Connects
Learn This First
The sibling words are family words with one more difference, older or younger.
Related Patterns
Words in This Pattern
Practice Older and Younger Siblings in Bubblegum
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