Where does “waka” come from?

Waka derives from Proto-Polynesian waka, which is cognate with Japanese 和歌.

waka (English): A kind of classical Japanese poem; A Maori canoe

Definitions

  1. A kind of classical Japanese poem; A Maori canoe

Ancestry of “waka”, step by step

waka traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.

via Japanese 和歌

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Japanese和歌Japanese poetry, waka; tanka: 31-mora poetry...
2Middle Chinese和—

via Maori waka

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Maoriwakaboat, canoe; vehicle, conveyance; transport
2Proto-Polynesianwakacanoe
Every word from Middle Chinese 和 →Every word from Japanese 和歌 →