kai
gb/kˈaɪ/ us/kˈaɪ/
A2
English
~ 8400
Kai, étel, ennivaló
NOUN
A2
1
Kai
A1
Her youngest son is called Kai.
A legkisebb fiát Kai-nak hívják.
I met a programmer named Kai at the conference.
A konferencián találkoztam egy Kai nevű programozóval.
Kai arrived early and helped set up the chairs.
The main character in the story is a boy named Kai.
Please send this email to Kai when you have finished.
Learner examples
My friend’s name is Kai.
A barátom neve Kai.
Kai is in my English class.
Kai az angolórámra jár.
This is Kai; he is my brother.
I think Kai is a nice name.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes write the name as “kai” with a small letter, but in English names are capitalized: “Kai”. They may also think it has a special meaning, but here it is simply a person’s first name.
Meaning
the given name ‘Kai’
Collocations
name is Kai
|someone named Kai
|Kai and [another name]
Themes
people
|identity
|relationships
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A first name for a person, written as Kai with a big K.
A personal given name, used for people of different genders in various cultures, usually written with an initial capital letter.
B2
2
Usage pattern:
to eat [some] kai
We shared some amazing kai at the marae after the ceremony.
A szertartás után a maraén csodás ételeket ettünk együtt.
There was plenty of kai for everyone at the community feast.
A közösségi lakomán bőven volt étel mindenkinek.
She helped prepare the kai for the visitors.
The kids rushed to the table when the kai was served.
He thanked them for the kai and their warm welcome.
Learner examples
In New Zealand, kai means food.
Új-Zélandon a kai szó azt jelenti: „étel”.
We ate good kai at the party.
Finom ennivalót ettünk a bulin.
They cooked a lot of kai for us.
The kai was hot and very tasty.
Common mistake:
Learners may think “kai” is general English everywhere, but it is mainly used in New Zealand English and in Māori cultural contexts. Outside those contexts, “food” is normally used instead.
Meaning
food (New Zealand, Māori origin)
Collocations
eat some kai
|share kai
|prepare kai
|delicious kai
|kai at the marae
Synonyms
food (The general, most common English word; not specific to New Zealand or Māori contexts.)
|
tucker (Informal word for food in some varieties of English, but without the specific Māori cultural connection of “kai”.)
Antonyms
drink (In this context, “drink” refers to liquids, contrasting with “kai”, which refers to solid food.)
Themes
food
|culture
|food_drink
|daily_life
|travel
Definition
In New Zealand, a word from the Māori language that means food.
In New Zealand English, food, especially in contexts related to Māori culture and community gatherings.
Grammar
Dictionary form
kai
IPA
GB/kˈaɪ/
US/kˈaɪ/
Syllables & stress
kai (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (kai)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: kai
- Plural: kais
Word family
Forms
kais
noun
Expressions
No expressions linked to this entry yet.