hui: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very low (outside New Zealand); Low to medium (within New Zealand)Formal, culturally specific (NZ), historical (UK archaic)
Quick answer
What does “hui” mean?
A Māori term for a formal meeting, gathering, or assembly.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A Māori term for a formal meeting, gathering, or assembly.
Primarily used in New Zealand English to denote a significant meeting, often involving discussion, debate, and decision-making, frequently with cultural or community importance. In historical/archaic British English (16th-17th century), it could mean a small company or band.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Virtually unknown in contemporary American English. In British English, it is an extremely rare, archaic word. Current usage in both is almost entirely through exposure to New Zealand English.
Connotations
In NZ: culturally respectful, formal, community-oriented. Elsewhere: exoticised, specific to NZ context, potentially misunderstood.
Frequency
Negligible frequency in both British and American corpora.
Grammar
How to Use “hui” in a Sentence
hold + a + hui (on/about [topic])attend + a + huicall + a + huia hui + be helda hui + on + [topic]Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might be used in NZ for a significant strategic or stakeholder meeting.
Academic
Used in anthropological, linguistic, or New Zealand studies contexts.
Everyday
Common in New Zealand everyday life when referring to formal community or family meetings.
Technical
Not used in technical fields outside of cultural studies.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “hui”
Strong
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “hui”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “hui”
- Pronouncing it like 'hue' or 'hew'. Correct is 'HOO-ee'.
- Using it as a general synonym for any meeting outside NZ context.
- Misspelling as 'huey' or 'hooey'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is a Māori word that has been borrowed into New Zealand English. It is not a native English word but is used in English in that specific context.
It is pronounced as 'HOO-ee', with roughly equal stress on both syllables.
Only if you are specifically referring to a Māori or New Zealand-style meeting, and you should expect to explain it. It is not a general English term.
A hui often implies a meeting conducted with specific Māori cultural protocols, such as starting with a karakia (prayer) and being held on a marae. It has deeper cultural and communal significance than the neutral word 'meeting'.
A Māori term for a formal meeting, gathering, or assembly.
Hui is usually formal, culturally specific (nz), historical (uk archaic) in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Come to the hui (meaning: participate in the discussion/process)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a group saying 'HOO-ee, let's meet!' to remember it's a meeting.
Conceptual Metaphor
COMMUNITY IS A CIRCLE (reflecting the often circular seating and inclusive nature of a hui).
Practice
Quiz
In which country is the word 'hui' a common part of everyday English?