Hawaiian & Pidgin Words and Phrases

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The Hawaiian Islands are populated by a true melting pot of races. The language of Hawaii reflects the racial diversity of the islands and consists of a playful blend of Hawaiian, Japanese, Chinese and English.

 

Hawaiian and Pidgin English Phrases
English Hawaiian or Pidgin
Towards the ocean Makai
Towards the mountain Mauka
How are you? Howzit brah? or, in Hawaiian, Pehea Oi?
A very close friend of the family "Hanai" as in Hanai Aunt or Hanai Uncle
Pregnant "Hapai"
He is or She is He stay.... or She stay... [as is He stay at da zoo]
Man Kane (pronounced kah nay)
Woman Wahine (pronounced wah hee nay)
The da
Kind kine
The Best No Ka Oi or "da best"
Better Moa betta
Where are you going tonight? Eh, wea you goin go tonight?
Didn't see it right; read the wrong thing Makapi eye (pronounced Ma Ka Pee); used as in,"eh, you get makapi eye o wah?"
Stink Kusai or Kusai Eye (dirty Look)
Let's go to___ Eh, we go___ as in "Eh, we go beach."
Please stop or don't do that Eh, no make like dat!
All messed up Hamajang (as in "stay all Hamajang")
Thank you Mahalo (thanks) or Mahalo Nui Loa (thank you very much)
Family Ohana
A big bully Mok (male) or Tita (female)
Where are you ? Wea you stay?
What do you want? Whatch you wan? or ... Whatch you wan do?
Please don't laugh/tease No Make fun
Cannot No can
Never Neva
Crazy Pupuli
African American Popolo
Portuguese Portugee
Chinese Pake
Filipino Bok bok (derogatory, pronounced book book)
Japanese Katonk (derogotory)
Caucasian Haole
Part Caucasian Hapa Haole
Gay Mahu
A local; a person that lives in Hawaii Kama'aina
Food Grinds; or in Hawaiian, Kau Kau
Tastes Great Stay Ono (or just Ono)
The land aina
Mountain; towards the mountains Mauna (mountain); Mauka (towards the mountain)
Sea; towards the sea Kai (ocean); Makai (towards the sea)
Tastes Great Stay Ono (or just Ono)
Fish: Crevally Ulua (Big) or Papio (small)
Goatfish Weke (pronounced ve kee)
Milkfish Awa
Chicken Moa
Pig Pua'a
Dog 'Ili'o



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ŠArnold Gum 2005