Standard Lemma guide

kena

noun · verb · 3 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.

  • Singapore: /ˈkənɑ/
  • Singapore: /ˈkɑnɑ/
  • Singapore: [ˈk˭ə˧.nä˦]
  • Malaysia: /ˈkənə/
  • Malaysia: /ˈkənɑ/

1

noun

Meaning 1

Alternative form of quena (“traditional flute of the Andes”).

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: alt-of, alternative

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

To experience, receive, suffer, get or be affected by (something negative).

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: ambitransitive, invariable

Examples

  • They all kena food poisoning.
  • If they ever catch you jaywalking, you will kena.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: got, get it

Antonyms: none provided

3

verb

Meaning 3

Used before a verb to indicate the adversative passive voice.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: auxiliary, invariable

Examples

  • He kena fine $10.
  • My job application kena rejected.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: got

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

Borrowed from Malay kena (“to be struck, hit, affected by”).