The Top 100 Essential Hawaiian Pidgin Phrases for Visitors

Direction Seaward, towards the ocean; used as a fundamental directional term in Hawaii instead of North, South, East, or West.

Direction Inland, towards the mountains; the opposite of makai.

Adjective Forbidden, taboo, sacred, or strictly off-limits.

Noun A woman, female, or wife; also used to describe the female gender in animals or plants.

Noun A man, male, or husband; frequently used to distinguish gender on restroom doors or in general conversation.

Noun Child, children, kid, or offspring.

Noun Help, assistance, or support.

Expression Welcome, come inside, or enter; a warm invitation to join.

Idiom Until we meet again; goodbye; farewell.

Noun A local resident, native-born person, or someone who has lived in Hawaii for a long time.

Noun A visitor, tourist, newcomer, or non-local person to Hawaiʻi.

Noun Family, relative, or kin group, including blood relatives, adoptive members, and close friends; (Noun) In real estate, a permitted second dwelling unit built on a single property.

Adjective Done, finished, completed, or over.

Adjective Delicious, tasty, or highly flavorful.

Noun A traditional Hawaiian dish of diced raw fish, typically marinated with soy sauce, sesame oil, and onions.

Noun Appetizers, snacks, finger foods, or hors d'oeuvres typically served before a meal or at a party.

Noun The common dolphinfish (Coryphaena hippurus), a popular and highly prized eating fish in Hawaii, known for its firm white flesh.

Noun A hand gesture made by extending the thumb and pinky finger while curling the three middle fingers, used to convey the aloha spirit, greeting, or gratitude.

Noun A traditional Hawaiian feast or party, often featuring food, music, and hula.

Noun The traditional and contemporary dance of Hawaii, characterized by rhythmic movement of the hips and mimetic hand gestures.

Noun A garland or necklace made from flowers, leaves, nuts, shells, or other materials, traditionally given as a symbol of affection, greeting, or celebration.

Verb To cook food, typically a whole pig, by burying it in an underground oven (imu) with hot rocks and banana leaves.

Noun A quintessential Hawaiian meal served on a divided paper or styrofoam plate, typically consisting of two scoops of white rice, one scoop of macaroni salad, and a main protein like teriyaki beef, kalua pig, or chicken katsu.

Noun A popular local Hawaiian dish consisting of white rice topped with a hamburger patty, a fried egg, and brown gravy.

Noun A popular local dessert made of finely shaved ice topped with sweet flavored syrups, often served with ice cream or azuki beans.

Noun A popular Hawaiian deep-fried doughnut of Portuguese origin, typically coated in granulated sugar and made without a hole.

Noun A popular local snack consisting of a slice of grilled or fried Spam placed on top of a block of rice, wrapped together with a strip of nori (seaweed).

Noun The time after work; the end of the workday.

Noun A house, home, or building.

Noun A porch, patio, balcony, or veranda.

Noun A Hawaiian green sea turtle.

Noun The native Hawaiian goose, which is also the official state bird of Hawaiʻi.

Noun Soy sauce; a staple condiment in Hawaii used in cooking, marinades, and as a dipping sauce.

Noun A traditional Hawaiian staple food made by mashing cooked taro (kalo) corms and adding water, resulting in a smooth, viscous paste.

Noun A traditional Hawaiian dish consisting of pork, fish, or chicken wrapped in taro leaves and tied in ti leaves, then steamed until tender.

Noun Passion fruit; a tropical fruit with a tough outer rind and sweet-tart, seed-filled center, widely used in Hawaiian juices, syrups, and desserts.

Noun A traditional Hawaiian dessert made from coconut milk and cornstarch (originally arrowroot), resulting in a firm, sweet, gelatinous coconut pudding.

Noun Yellowfin or bigeye tuna, a highly prized fish in Hawaii commonly served raw in poke, sashimi, and seared dishes.

Noun Flip-flops, sandals, or any casual open-toed footwear.

Greeting How are you?; how is it going?; hello.

Slang Okay, alright, sounds good; an expression of agreement or confirmation.

Slang A universal placeholder word used for any noun, verb, or adjective when the exact word is forgotten or assumed to be known; thingamajig, whatchamacallit, that kind.

Noun A grandmother or elderly woman; an affectionate and respectful term for a female elder.

Noun A grandparent, elder, or ancestor; a respected older person who carries traditional knowledge and authority.

Noun A term of respect and affection for an older woman, whether she is a blood relative or not.

Noun Any older man deserving of respect, regardless of blood relation.

Noun A brother, male friend, or general term of address for a male (dude, bro).

Noun Sister, female relative, or a close female friend.

Adjective Good, righteous, proper, moral, or wholesome.

Noun Right, privilege, concern, responsibility, or personal business.

Noun Spiritual power, divine energy, authority, or life force inherent in people, places, and things.

Idiom Excuse me, I am sorry, or please forgive me.

Expression No trouble, no problem, it was nothing, you're welcome.

Noun The beach, seashore, or coastline.

Noun A cliff, precipice, or steep mountain face.

Noun The sea, ocean, tide, currents, or seaside.

Noun Fresh water, as opposed to salt water (kai).

Noun Mountain, peak, or highly elevated landmass.

Noun A hole, perforation, or opening, such as a tear in clothing or a doorway.

Noun Land, earth, or the physical environment; deeply connected to the concept of homeland and ancestral roots.

Noun Skipjack tuna, a popular fish in Hawaii often used for poke, sashimi, or drying.

Noun A tropical plant cultivated primarily for its edible corms, which are a traditional staple food in Hawaii used to make poi, as well as for its large, elephant ear-shaped leaves used in cooking.

Noun Breadfruit; a large, starchy fruit native to the Pacific islands, traditionally a staple crop in Hawaii and often prepared like potatoes.

Noun Hawaiian-style dried beef, similar to beef jerky but typically thicker, semi-dried, and often broiled or pan-fried before eating.

Noun A single-portion takeout or home-packed meal, typically consisting of rice, a main protein, and side dishes packed in a box.

Noun Korean-style marinated short ribs, typically grilled and served as a staple in local plate lunches or at family barbecues.

Noun A traditional Filipino dish of pork or chicken simmered in a marinade of soy sauce, vinegar, garlic, bay leaves, and black peppercorns, heavily integrated into local Hawaii cuisine.

Noun A steamed or baked bun filled with sweet roast pork (char siu) or other fillings; Hawaii's version of the Chinese bao.

Noun A traditional Hawaiian side dish made of salted, massaged salmon mixed with diced tomatoes and sweet onions.

Idiom Incredibly delicious; tasting so good that it metaphorically breaks your mouth.

Slang Extremely delicious; a playful exaggeration combining the Hawaiian word 'ono' with the English word 'delicious'.

Slang A food coma; the overwhelming feeling of drowsiness and lethargy that occurs after eating a large, heavy meal.

Noun Food or a meal.

Noun Food, a meal, or delicious things to eat.

Verb To wander, roam, go for a drive, or cruise around without a specific destination.

Verb To have a friendly, casual conversation; to catch up, gossip, or reminisce.

Slang Fast, quick, or quickly; to hurry up.

Slang Later, eventually, or in the future.

Slang Guaranteed, automatic, for sure, totally; an expression of absolute certainty or agreement.

Slang Roger, affirmative, yes, or understood.

Slang Alright, woo-hoo, or okay; an exclamation of excitement, agreement, or approval (the more 'u's used, the greater the excitement).

Idiom No problem; it's okay; don't worry about it.

Verb To hang out, relax, or spend time doing nothing in particular.

Expression Greetings or hello to everyone present, inclusive of the speaker.

Idiom How are you? How is it going?

Adjective Good, fine, well, or excellent.

Noun God, the divine, or a spiritual deity; often used in expressions of gratitude such as 'mahalo ke Akua' (thanks be to God).

Noun A group, club, syndicate, partnership, or organization, often formed for a specific purpose or shared interest.

Noun A pig, swine, or pork meat, often referring to wild boars hunted in the mountains or the centerpiece of a traditional luau.

Noun A gecko or lizard.

Noun Wind or breeze.

Noun Sky, heaven, or the spiritual realm.

Noun The sun, sunlight, or the intense heat of the sun.

Noun The moon.

Noun A rainbow.

Idiom A relaxed, unhurried, and easygoing approach to life, tasks, or events, typical of Hawaii's local culture.

Idiom The customary, unpretentious, or resourceful way things are done by residents of Hawaii.