What does broke da mouth mean? This is one of my favorite pidgin phrases meaning something that tastes so good it hurts your mouth! Delicious.Įxample: “ How’s da spicy tuna?” “So good! Broke da mouth.” Crack seed How do you pronounce aku? AH-koo Broke da mouth What is aku? Aku is the Hawaiian word for shipjack tuna, a local favorite in Hawaii. What does kapu mean? Kapu is the Hawaiian word for forbidden, not allowed, stay out.Įxample: No go Stairway to Heaven hike. What does junk mean? Junk is Hawaiian slang for not good.Įxample: “ How the waves?” “Junk.
What does irrahz mean? Hawaiian slang short for irritating, annoying.Įxample: Stop that complaining. How do you pronounce choke? Exactly like how it is pronounced in English. What does choke mean? In Hawaiian pidgin, choke means to have a lot of something.Įxample: “ So, you catch any fish?” “Oh yeah. What does chang mean? This pidgin word means to be frugal or have a tight wallet, aka cheap.Įxample: No tip? You so chang, brah. Hawaiian Slang Directions, Places and Things.I’ve broken this dictionary into sections: The following translations are what I have learned the words to mean based on my own observations being in Hawaii along with some help and examples from Ryan. The following are helpful words and phrases to know when you visit Hawaii, with some you may not even hear but are fun to know anyway ? Disclaimer: I have not studied the Hawaiian language, nor Pidgin, so I am not claiming to be an expert.
Pidgin also became helpful during WWII when Japanese spies tried to intercept local radios but couldn’t understand what was being said. With Ryan’s Japanese background and my Filipino background, it’s always interesting for us when we recognize Japanese and Filipino words mixed in with Pidgin! It is a mix of English, Hawaiian, Japanese, Filipino, Chinese and Portuguese words that came about in the 19th century when migrants came from those respective countries to work the plantations in Hawaii. Hawaiian slang, more popularly known as Pidgin, is Hawaii’s unofficial local language and can be heard spoken throughout the islands by the locals. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. I’ve put together this little Hawaiian Pidgin to English dictionary of my favorite Hawaiian slang words and pidgin phrases that you’ll want to know for your visit!ĭisclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning that if you purchase something after clicking one of these links, we may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you. After 10 years of being together I’ve gotten quite familiar with the local lingo. When I first stayed with his auntie and family in Kaneohe, Oahu, the first few months I started picking up the local Hawaiian slang words and phrases, aka Hawaiian Pidgin. Sweet & Sour Spare Ribs, Aunty E.J.Ryan’s family is local to Hawaii, meaning their family goes back many generations living on Oahu and Kauai.Kau-Yuk (Chinese Pot Roast Pork), Lau Yee Chai’s.Lup Cheong Stew (with Bamboo Shoots & Shiitake Mushrooms).Mechado, “The Ultimate” Filipino Beef Stew.Beef Stew, Hawaiian Local Style (No Ka Oi!).Corned Beef Hash, Okazuya Style by Shevon.Oxtail Soup (including pressure cooker viersion).Li Hing Mui Dressing, Alan Wong’s famous.Goteborg Musubi, Project (a Kauai delicacy!).Crab & Shiitake Mushroom Sushi “Casserole”.Buffalo Wings, T-Fal ActiFry Ultimate, by Ken Williamson.Ahi SPAM® Dip with Diamond Bakery Crackers, Chef Manabe’s.Most are tried-and-proven personal favorites of Pomai, the editor and owner of The Tasty Island, along with others contributed by family, friends, coworkers and The Tasty Island readers.
The following are recipes and cooking demonstrations, collectively presented over the years The Tasty Island has been online.