What does ahi mean?
Ahi is the Hawaiian name for two prized species of large tropical tuna: the yellowfin tuna and, less frequently, the bigeye tuna. Borrowed into English largely through Hawaii's fishing and culinary traditions, it has become a familiar term on menus across the United States and beyond, where 'seared ahi' and 'ahi poke' are staples of Pacific-inspired cooking. The word carries strong culinary connotations — freshness, quality, and the delicate flavor of premium sashimi-grade fish — and is used both as an uncountable food term ('a platter of ahi') and, occasionally, to refer to individual fish. In Hawaiian itself, 'ahi' means 'fire', a vivid name traditionally linked to the fierce fight these powerful fish put up when hooked. For anyone interested in food, fishing, or Polynesian language, ahi is a small word with a rich story behind it.
Either of two species of large tropical tuna — chiefly the yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares) and sometimes the bigeye tuna (Thunnus obesus) — valued as food fish.
"The fishermen landed several ahi off the Kona coast."
Used as an uncountable mass noun when referring to the flesh as food, and countably (plural 'ahis') when referring to individual fish.
In Hawaiian, fire.
"In Hawaiian tradition, Pele is the goddess who governs ahi, the element of fire."
This sense belongs to the original Hawaiian meaning rather than common English usage.
As a food term, ahi is usually treated as uncountable and left unchanged; when counting individual fish, 'ahis' may be used.
"The market had fresh ahi flown in overnight."
In Hawaiian, 'ahi' literally means 'fire' — a name said to reflect how fiercely these powerful fish fight when hooked, burning through fishing lines.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of ahi
Ahi comes directly from Hawaiian, where the word denotes the yellowfin tuna and also means 'fire'. It entered English through contact with Hawaiian language and culture, becoming widespread in American usage as Hawaiian cuisine — particularly poke and seared tuna dishes — gained international popularity. It shares its origin with other Hawaiian loanwords in English such as mahimahi, lei, poi, and ukulele.
How ahi is actually used
Ahi is a loanword from Hawaiian that has become standard in American English, particularly in culinary contexts; it appears far more often on menus than in general prose. It refers to both yellowfin and bigeye tuna without distinction in most commercial usage. The plural is typically 'ahi' (as an uncountable food term) or 'ahis' when referring to individual fish.
Easily confused with ahi
Mahi-mahi is dolphinfish, a completely different species from ahi tuna, though both are popular Hawaiian seafood often confused on menus.