# lei
## English
### Pronunciation

* enPR: lā, IPA: /leɪ/
* Audio (US):(file)
* Rhymes: -eɪ
* Homophones: lay, ley

### Etymology 1

From Hawaiian lei.

#### Noun

lei (plural leis)
* A garland of flowers in Hawaii.

##### Derived terms

* haku lei
* Lei Day

##### Translations
#### See also

* Lei (Hawaii) on Wikipedia.Wikipedia

### Etymology 2

From Romanian lei.

#### Noun

lei
* plural of leu

### Anagrams

* EIL, lie, ile-, Eli, Lie, LIE, Ile, -lie, -ile, %ile, ELI, ile

## Afrikaans
### Pronunciation

* IPA: [lə̟i̯]
* Homophone: ly

### Etymology 1

From Dutch leiden, from Middle Dutch leiden, from Old Dutch leiden, from Proto-Germanic *laidijaną.

#### Verb

lei (present lei, present participle leidende or leiende, past participle gelei)
* to lead

##### Derived terms

* leier

### Etymology 2

From Dutch lei, from Middle Dutch leye, probably from Celtic and ultimately from a substrate language.

#### Noun

lei (uncountable)
* slate (stone)

## Basque
### Pronunciation

* IPA: /lei̯/, [le̞i̯]

### Noun

lei inan
* ice, frost

#### Declension
### Further reading

* “lei”, in Euskaltzaindiaren Hiztegia [Dictionary of the Basque Academy], Euskaltzaindia
* “lei”, in Orotariko Euskal Hiztegia [General Basque Dictionary], Euskaltzaindia, 1987–2005

## Bavarian
### Alternative forms

* lai

### Adverb

lei
* (Austria, Tyrol) only, just

## Bourguignon
### Alternative forms

* (Morvan) leu

### Etymology

From Latin locus.

### Noun

lei m (plural leis)
* place

## Dutch
### Pronunciation

* Rhymes: -ɛi̯
* IPA: /lɛi/
* Audio:(file)

### Etymology 1

From Middle Dutch leye, probably an old Germanic loan from Gaulish *lēi, from Proto-Celtic *līwanks (compare *līwos (“stone”)), from Proto-Indo-European *leh₁w- (“stone”), see also Ancient Greek λᾶας (lâas, “stone”), Albanian lerë (“boulder”).

#### Noun

lei f (plural leien, diminutive leitje n)
* (uncountable) slate (material)
* (countable) slate (object)

##### Derived terms

* leien
* leisteen
* met een schone lei herbeginnen

##### Descendants

* → Papiamentu: lei (dated)

##### See also

* -lei
* griffel

### Etymology 2

From Middle Dutch leide, with the same development as in zeggen > zei.

#### Verb

lei
* (archaic) singular past indicative of leggen

### Anagrams

* iel

## Finnish
### Pronunciation

* IPA: /ˈlei̯/, [ˈle̞i̯]
* Rhymes: -ei
* Hyphenation: lei

### Etymology 1

From Hawaiian lei.

#### Noun

lei
* lei (Hawaiian garland of flowers)

##### Declension

Possessive forms of lei (Kotus type 18/maa, no gradation) :
first-person singular possessor
singular
plural
nominative
leini
leini
accusative
nom.
leini
leini
gen.
leini
genitive
leini
leideni leitteni
partitive
leitäni
leitäni
inessive
leissäni
leissäni
elative
leistäni
leistäni
illative
leihini
leihini
adessive
leilläni
leilläni
ablative
leiltäni
leiltäni
allative
leilleni
leilleni
essive
leinäni
leinäni
translative
leikseni
leikseni
abessive
leittäni
leittäni
instructive
comitative
—leineni
second-person singular possessor
singular
plural
nominative
leisi
leisi
accusative
nom.
leisi
leisi
gen.
leisi
genitive
leisi
leidesi leittesi
partitive
leitäsi
leitäsi
inessive
leissäsi
leissäsi
elative
leistäsi
leistäsi
illative
leihisi
leihisi
adessive
leilläsi
leilläsi
ablative
leiltäsi
leiltäsi
allative
leillesi
leillesi
essive
leinäsi
leinäsi
translative
leiksesi
leiksesi
abessive
leittäsi
leittäsi
instructive
comitative
—leinesi
first-person plural possessor
singular
plural
nominative
leimme
leimme
accusative
nom.
leimme
leimme
gen.
leimme
genitive
leimme
leidemme leittemme
partitive
leitämme
leitämme
inessive
leissämme
leissämme
elative
leistämme
leistämme
illative
leihimme
leihimme
adessive
leillämme
leillämme
ablative
leiltämme
leiltämme
allative
leillemme
leillemme
essive
leinämme
leinämme
translative
leiksemme
leiksemme
abessive
leittämme
leittämme
instructive
comitative
—leinemme
second-person plural possessor
singular
plural
nominative
leinne
leinne
accusative
nom.
leinne
leinne
gen.
leinne
genitive
leinne
leidenne leittenne
partitive
leitänne
leitänne
inessive
leissänne
leissänne
elative
leistänne
leistänne
illative
leihinne
leihinne
adessive
leillänne
leillänne
ablative
leiltänne
leiltänne
allative
leillenne
leillenne
essive
leinänne
leinänne
translative
leiksenne
leiksenne
abessive
leittänne
leittänne
instructive
comitative
—leinenne
third-person possessor
singular
plural
nominative
leinsä
leinsä
accusative
nom.
leinsä
leinsä
gen.
leinsä
genitive
leinsä
leidensä leittensä
partitive
leitään leitänsä
leitään leitänsä
inessive
leissään leissänsä
leissään leissänsä
elative
leistään leistänsä
leistään leistänsä
illative
leihinsä
leihinsä
adessive
leillään leillänsä
leillään leillänsä
ablative
leiltään leiltänsä
leiltään leiltänsä
allative
leilleen leillensä
leilleen leillensä
essive
leinään leinänsä
leinään leinänsä
translative
leikseen leiksensä
leikseen leiksensä
abessive
leittään leittänsä
leittään leittänsä
instructive
comitative
—leineen leinensä :

#### See also

* kukkaseppele

#### Further reading

* “lei”, in Kielitoimiston sanakirja [Dictionary of Contemporary Finnish]‎ (in Finnish) (online dictionary, continuously updated), Kotimaisten kielten keskuksen verkkojulkaisuja 35, Helsinki: Kotimaisten kielten tutkimuskeskus (Institute for the Languages of Finland), 2004–, retrieved 2023-07-01

### Etymology 2

From Romanian lei.

#### Noun

lei (nonstandard, obsolete)
* leu (unit of currency of Romania and Moldova)

##### Declension

Possessive forms of lei (Kotus type 18/maa, no gradation) :
first-person singular possessor
singular
plural
nominative
leini
leini
accusative
nom.
leini
leini
gen.
leini
genitive
leini
leideni leitteni
partitive
leitäni
leitäni
inessive
leissäni
leissäni
elative
leistäni
leistäni
illative
leihini
leihini
adessive
leilläni
leilläni
ablative
leiltäni
leiltäni
allative
leilleni
leilleni
essive
leinäni
leinäni
translative
leikseni
leikseni
abessive
leittäni
leittäni
instructive
comitative
—leineni
second-person singular possessor
singular
plural
nominative
leisi
leisi
accusative
nom.
leisi
leisi
gen.
leisi
genitive
leisi
leidesi leittesi
partitive
leitäsi
leitäsi
inessive
leissäsi
leissäsi
elative
leistäsi
leistäsi
illative
leihisi
leihisi
adessive
leilläsi
leilläsi
ablative
leiltäsi
leiltäsi
allative
leillesi
leillesi
essive
leinäsi
leinäsi
translative
leiksesi
leiksesi
abessive
leittäsi
leittäsi
instructive
comitative
—leinesi
first-person plural possessor
singular
plural
nominative
leimme
leimme
accusative
nom.
leimme
leimme
gen.
leimme
genitive
leimme
leidemme leittemme
partitive
leitämme
leitämme
inessive
leissämme
leissämme
elative
leistämme
leistämme
illative
leihimme
leihimme
adessive
leillämme
leillämme
ablative
leiltämme
leiltämme
allative
leillemme
leillemme
essive
leinämme
leinämme
translative
leiksemme
leiksemme
abessive
leittämme
leittämme
instructive
comitative
—leinemme
second-person plural possessor
singular
plural
nominative
leinne
leinne
accusative
nom.
leinne
leinne
gen.
leinne
genitive
leinne
leidenne leittenne
partitive
leitänne
leitänne
inessive
leissänne
leissänne
elative
leistänne
leistänne
illative
leihinne
leihinne
adessive
leillänne
leillänne
ablative
leiltänne
leiltänne
allative
leillenne
leillenne
essive
leinänne
leinänne
translative
leiksenne
leiksenne
abessive
leittänne
leittänne
instructive
comitative
—leinenne
third-person possessor
singular
plural
nominative
leinsä
leinsä
accusative
nom.
leinsä
leinsä
gen.
leinsä
genitive
leinsä
leidensä leittensä
partitive
leitään leitänsä
leitään leitänsä
inessive
leissään leissänsä
leissään leissänsä
elative
leistään leistänsä
leistään leistänsä
illative
leihinsä
leihinsä
adessive
leillään leillänsä
leillään leillänsä
ablative
leiltään leiltänsä
leiltään leiltänsä
allative
leilleen leillensä
leilleen leillensä
essive
leinään leinänsä
leinään leinänsä
translative
leikseen leiksensä
leikseen leiksensä
abessive
leittään leittänsä
leittään leittänsä
instructive
comitative
—leineen leinensä :

##### Synonyms

* (unit of currency): leu

### Anagrams

* eli, lie

## Friulian
### Etymology

From Latin legere.

### Verb

lei (past participle let)
* to read

#### Related terms

* letôr
* leture
* lezion

## Galician
### Pronunciation

* IPA: /lei/

### Etymology 1

From Old Galician-Portuguese lei, ley, from earlier lee, from Latin lex, lēgem, from Proto-Italic *lēg-, from Proto-Indo-European *leǵ-s < *leǵ-.

#### Noun

lei f (plural leis)
* law (clarification of this definition is needed)
* religion, credence, worship of a god

##### Related terms

* leal

### Etymology 2
#### Noun

lei m pl
* plural of leu

## Hawaiian
### Etymology

(This etymology is missing or incomplete. Please add to it, or discuss it at the Etymology scriptorium.)

### Pronunciation

* IPA: /ˈlei̯/, [ˈlɛj]

### Noun

lei (ka)
* lei, a wreath of flowers or leaves
* necklace
* (by extension) child, carried on the shoulders like a lei

#### Derived terms

* lei o manō

#### Descendants

* → English: lei

### Verb

lei
* to leap

## Italian
### Etymology

Inherited from Latin illaei.
The formal address Lei appears in the 16th century in connection with Signoria (“Lordship”), Eccellenza (“Excellency”), Santità (“Holiness”) and Magnificenza, alongside Voi.

### Pronunciation

* IPA: /ˈlɛj/
* Audio:(file)
* Rhymes: -ɛj
* Hyphenation: lèi

### Pronoun

lei f (plural loro, masculine lui)
* she
* her
* it
** 1320, Dante Alighieri, Divine Comedy, Amadeo Augusto Lange (1788), page 161:
    La pioggia cadde, e a’ foſſati venne / Di lei ciò che la terra non ſofferſeThe rain fell and into the channels ran / Whatever of it was not absorbed by the ground
** ca. 1349-1353, Giovanni Boccaccio, The Decameron, Tipografia della Società Belgica (1841), page 228:
    […] videro il drappo, et in quello la testa, non ancor sì consumata, che essi alla capellatura crespa non conoscessero lei esser quella di Lorenzo.[…] they saw the cloth and the head wrapped inside it, which was not yet sufficiently decomposed that they could not help but identify it, from the curly hair, as being Lorenzo’s.
** ca. 1349-1353, Giovanni Boccaccio, The Decameron, Tipografia della Società Belgica (1841), page 512:
    […] Filomena in ciò che dell’amistà dice, racconta il vero, e con ragione nel fine delle sue parole si dolse lei oggi così poco da’ mortali esser gradita.[…] Philomena is in the right as to what she has said upon friendship; and it was with reason she complained, last of all, of its being in such little esteem with mankind […]
** 1984, Stefano Benni, Stranalandia, Feltrinelli, published 2015, page 76:La banana di Stranalandia è alla base dell’economia dell’isola. Senza di lei la vita qui sarebbe molto dura.The banana of Strangeland forms the basis of the island’s economy. Without it, life here would be very tough.

#### Synonyms

* ella
* essa

#### Related terms

* colei

### Pronoun

lei m (plural voi)
* (formal) you
    Synonym: (uncommon) voi

#### Alternative forms

* Lei

#### Derived terms

* a lei
* dare del lei

#### See also

| Number | Person | Gender | Nominative | Reflexive | Accusative | Dative | Combined | Disjunctive | Locative | Partitive |
| Singular | first | — | io | mi, m', -mi | mi, m', -mi | mi, m', -mi | me | me | — | — |
| Singular | second | — | tu | ti, t', -ti | ti, t', -ti | ti, t', -ti | te | te | — | — |
| Singular | third | m | lui | si$^2$, s', -si | lo, l', -lo | gli, -gli | glie, se$^2$ | lui, sé | ci, c', vi, v' (formal) | ne, n' |
| Singular | third | f | lei, Lei$^1$ | si$^2$, s', -si | la, La$^1$, l', L'$^1$, -la, -La$^1$ | le$^3$, Le$^1$, -le$^3$, -Le$^1$ | glie, se$^2$ | lei, Lei$^1$, sé | ci, c', vi, v' (formal) | ne, n' |
| Plural | first | — | noi | ci, c', -ci | ci, c', -ci | ci, c', -ci | ce | noi | — | — |
| Plural | second | — | voi, Voi$^4$ | vi, Vi$^4$, v', V'$^4$, -vi, -Vi$^4$ | vi, Vi$^4$, v', V'$^4$, -vi, -Vi$^4$ | vi, Vi$^4$, v', V'$^4$, -vi, -Vi$^4$ | ve | voi, Voi$^4$ | — | — |
| Plural | third | m | loro, Loro$^1$ | si, s', -si | li, Li$^1$, -li, -Li$^1$ | gli, -gli, loro (formal), Loro$^1$ | glie, se | loro, Loro$^1$, sé | ci, c', vi, v' (formal) | ne, n' |
| Plural | third | f | loro, Loro$^1$ | si, s', -si | le, Le$^1$, -le, -Le$^1$ | gli, -gli, loro (formal), Loro$^1$ | glie, se | loro, Loro$^1$, sé | ci, c', vi, v' (formal) | ne, n' |
| $^1$ | Third person pronominal forms used as formal terms of address to refer to second person subjects (with the first letter frequently capitalised as a sign of respect, and to distinguish them from third person subjects). Unlike the singular forms, the plural forms are mostly antiquated terms of formal address in the modern language, and second person plural pronouns are almost always used instead. | Third person pronominal forms used as formal terms of address to refer to second person subjects (with the first letter frequently capitalised as a sign of respect, and to distinguish them from third person subjects). Unlike the singular forms, the plural forms are mostly antiquated terms of formal address in the modern language, and second person plural pronouns are almost always used instead. | Third person pronominal forms used as formal terms of address to refer to second person subjects (with the first letter frequently capitalised as a sign of respect, and to distinguish them from third person subjects). Unlike the singular forms, the plural forms are mostly antiquated terms of formal address in the modern language, and second person plural pronouns are almost always used instead. | Third person pronominal forms used as formal terms of address to refer to second person subjects (with the first letter frequently capitalised as a sign of respect, and to distinguish them from third person subjects). Unlike the singular forms, the plural forms are mostly antiquated terms of formal address in the modern language, and second person plural pronouns are almost always used instead. | Third person pronominal forms used as formal terms of address to refer to second person subjects (with the first letter frequently capitalised as a sign of respect, and to distinguish them from third person subjects). Unlike the singular forms, the plural forms are mostly antiquated terms of formal address in the modern language, and second person plural pronouns are almost always used instead. | Third person pronominal forms used as formal terms of address to refer to second person subjects (with the first letter frequently capitalised as a sign of respect, and to distinguish them from third person subjects). Unlike the singular forms, the plural forms are mostly antiquated terms of formal address in the modern language, and second person plural pronouns are almost always used instead. | Third person pronominal forms used as formal terms of address to refer to second person subjects (with the first letter frequently capitalised as a sign of respect, and to distinguish them from third person subjects). Unlike the singular forms, the plural forms are mostly antiquated terms of formal address in the modern language, and second person plural pronouns are almost always used instead. | Third person pronominal forms used as formal terms of address to refer to second person subjects (with the first letter frequently capitalised as a sign of respect, and to distinguish them from third person subjects). Unlike the singular forms, the plural forms are mostly antiquated terms of formal address in the modern language, and second person plural pronouns are almost always used instead. | Third person pronominal forms used as formal terms of address to refer to second person subjects (with the first letter frequently capitalised as a sign of respect, and to distinguish them from third person subjects). Unlike the singular forms, the plural forms are mostly antiquated terms of formal address in the modern language, and second person plural pronouns are almost always used instead. |
| $^2$ | Also used as indefinite pronoun meaning “one”, and to form the passive. | Also used as indefinite pronoun meaning “one”, and to form the passive. | Also used as indefinite pronoun meaning “one”, and to form the passive. | Also used as indefinite pronoun meaning “one”, and to form the passive. | Also used as indefinite pronoun meaning “one”, and to form the passive. | Also used as indefinite pronoun meaning “one”, and to form the passive. | Also used as indefinite pronoun meaning “one”, and to form the passive. | Also used as indefinite pronoun meaning “one”, and to form the passive. | Also used as indefinite pronoun meaning “one”, and to form the passive. |
| $^3$ | Often replaced by gli, -gli in informal language. | Often replaced by gli, -gli in informal language. | Often replaced by gli, -gli in informal language. | Often replaced by gli, -gli in informal language. | Often replaced by gli, -gli in informal language. | Often replaced by gli, -gli in informal language. | Often replaced by gli, -gli in informal language. | Often replaced by gli, -gli in informal language. | Often replaced by gli, -gli in informal language. |
| $^4$ | Formal (capitalisation optional); in many regions, can refer to just one person (compare with French vous). | Formal (capitalisation optional); in many regions, can refer to just one person (compare with French vous). | Formal (capitalisation optional); in many regions, can refer to just one person (compare with French vous). | Formal (capitalisation optional); in many regions, can refer to just one person (compare with French vous). | Formal (capitalisation optional); in many regions, can refer to just one person (compare with French vous). | Formal (capitalisation optional); in many regions, can refer to just one person (compare with French vous). | Formal (capitalisation optional); in many regions, can refer to just one person (compare with French vous). | Formal (capitalisation optional); in many regions, can refer to just one person (compare with French vous). | Formal (capitalisation optional); in many regions, can refer to just one person (compare with French vous). |

### References

* ↑ Stefano Lanuzza (1994) Storia della lingua italiana, Roma: Newton Compton, →ISBN, page 48

### Anagrams

* -ile, eli

## Luxembourgish
### Pronunciation

* IPA: /lɑɪ̯/

### Verb

lei
* second-person singular imperative of leien

## Mandarin
### Romanization

lei (lei$^5$ / lei$^0$, Zhuyin ˙ㄌㄟ)
* Hanyu Pinyin reading of 嘞
lei
* Nonstandard spelling of lēi.
* Nonstandard spelling of léi.
* Nonstandard spelling of lěi.
* Nonstandard spelling of lèi.

#### Usage notes

* Transcriptions of Mandarin into the Latin script often do not distinguish between the critical tonal differences employed in the Mandarin language, using words such as this one without indication of tone.

## Northern Sami
### Pronunciation

* (Kautokeino) IPA: /ˈlej/

### Verb

lei
* third-person singular past indicative of leat

## Norwegian Bokmål
### Pronunciation

* IPA: /læɪ̯/

### Etymology 1

From Old Norse leiðr.

#### Adjective

lei (masculine and feminine lei, neuter leit, definite singular and plural leie, comparative leiere, indefinite superlative leiest, definite superlative leieste)
* uncomfortable, bothersome
* bored, tired
* sad, unfortunate

### Etymology 2

From Old Norse leið.

#### Noun

lei f or m (definite singular leia or leien, indefinite plural leier, definite plural leiene)
* direction
* distance

### Etymology 3
#### Alternative forms

* led (of lide)

#### Verb

lei
* simple past of lide
* imperative of leie

### References

* “lei” in The Bokmål Dictionary.

## Norwegian Nynorsk
### Pronunciation

* IPA: /lɛɪː/

### Etymology 1

From Old Norse leið.

#### Noun

lei f (definite singular leia, indefinite plural leier, definite plural leiene)
* (maritime) route, sea route (a route, mostly along a coastline or between islands, that is safe to sail)
* direction

### Etymology 2

From Old Norse leiðr.

#### Adjective

lei (masculine and feminine lei, neuter leitt, definite singular and plural leie, comparative leiare, indefinite superlative leiast, definite superlative leiaste)
* tired, fed up, bored
* awkward, uncomfortable

##### Declension

lei seg
* sad

### Etymology 3
#### Verb

lei
* imperative of leie

### Etymology 4
#### Verb

lei
* past of li

### References

* “lei” in The Nynorsk Dictionary.

## Occitan
### Pronunciation

* Audio:(file)

### Article

lei m pl or f pl
* (Provençal) plural of lo

## Old French
### Alternative forms

* lai
* loi
* leye
* laye

### Etymology

From Latin lex, legem.

### Noun

lei oblique singular, f (oblique plural lez, nominative singular lei, nominative plural lez)
* a law

#### Related terms

* leal

#### Descendants

* Middle French: loy
** French: loi
*** ⇒ Haitian Creole: lalwa
*** → Moore: laloa
* Norman: louai

## Portuguese
### Alternative forms

* ley (obsolete)

### Etymology

From Old Galician-Portuguese lei, ley, from earlier lee, from Latin lēgem, from Proto-Italic *lēg-, from Proto-Indo-European *leǵ-s < *leǵ-.
Cognate with Galician lei, Spanish ley, Catalan llei, Occitan lei, French loi, Italian legge and Romanian lege.

### Pronunciation

* (Brazil) IPA: /ˈlej/ [ˈleɪ̯]
* (Portugal) IPA: /ˈlɐj/
* (Portugal) IPA: /ˈlɐj/
** (Northern Portugal) IPA: /ˈlej/
** (Central Portugal) IPA: /ˈlej/
** (Southern Portugal) IPA: /ˈle/
* Hyphenation: lei

### Noun

lei f (plural leis)
* law
** 1572, Luís Vaz de Camões, Os Lusíadas, 1st canto:
    E aqueles, que por obras valerosas / Se vão da lei da morte libertando.And those who by valourous deeds free themselves from the law of Death.

#### Related terms

* leal
* legal
* legítimo
* lídimo

## Romanian
### Pronunciation

* IPA: /lej/
* Audio:(file)

### Noun

lei m pl
* plural of leu

## Sardinian
### Alternative forms

* leze

### Etymology

Borrowed from Spanish ley, from Latin lex, legem.

### Noun

lei
* (Campidanese) law

## Scots
### Verb

lei (third-person singular simple present leis, present participle leiin, simple past leid, past participle leid)
* (Southern Scots) Alternative form of lee.

## Spanish
### Noun

lei m pl
* plural of leu

## Zou
### Etymology 1

From Proto-Kuki-Chin *lay, from Proto-Sino-Tibetan *m-lay. Cognates include Burmese လျှာ (hlya) and Tibetan ལྕེ (lce).

#### Pronunciation

* IPA: /lə̄j/
* Hyphenation: lei

#### Noun

lei
* tongue

### Etymology 2

From Proto-Kuki-Chin *lay, from Proto-Sino-Tibetan *k-lis. Cognates include Burmese မြေ (mre) and Tibetan གལྱི (glyi).

#### Pronunciation

* IPA: /lə́j/
* Hyphenation: lei

#### Noun

léi
* earth
** 1992, Holy Bible In Zou, Siemchilbu 1:1:Achiil in Paisan Lei leh Van asiem.In the beginning God created the Earth and Heaven.
* land
* ground, soil

### Etymology 3

From Proto-Kuki-Chin *lay, from Proto-Sino-Tibetan *s-lay. Cognates include Burmese လှေကား (hleka:, “ladder”) and Chinese 梯 (tī, “ladder”).

#### Pronunciation

* IPA: /lə̀j/
* Hyphenation: lei

#### Noun

lèi
* bridge

### References

* Lukram Himmat Singh (2013) A Descriptive Grammar of Zou, Canchipur: Manipur University, page 62