Lei

Lei is a term that appears in several languages with unrelated meanings. In Hawaiian culture, a lei is a garland or wreath typically made from flowers, leaves, or nuts. It is presented to welcome guests, mark celebrations, or honor someone, and is worn around the neck or sometimes draped over the shoulders. Leis vary by material and design and hold ceremonial significance in hospitality and rites.

In East Asia, Lei is a surname and a given name. It is a romanization of several Chinese surnames and can also be a given name in Chinese-speaking communities; the exact character varies, and pronunciations may include Léi or different tones. The name also appears in other East Asian contexts.

In Italian, Lei is the formal second-person pronoun meaning "you" when addressing someone with respect; it is capitalized in writing, e.g., Lei parla inglese? Beyond formal address, lei (lowercase) also means "she."

In Portuguese (and Galician), lei means "law" and leis is the plural meaning "laws."

Lei thus covers a range of distinct ideas: a cultural garland, a family name or given name, a pronoun in Italian, and a common noun in Romance languages. The capitalization or context usually clarifies the intended meaning.