How do you say hello in Hawaiian slang?

In Hawaiian slang (Pidgin), common greetings include 'Howzit' (How's it going?), 'Eh, brah!' (Hey, friend!), and the traditional Hawaiian 'Aloha'. Local slang greetings are casual and friendly, reflecting the warm island culture.

What are common Hawaiian slang words?

Popular Hawaiian slang words include: 'Shoots' (okay/sounds good), 'Grindz' (food), 'Broke da mouth' (delicious), 'Choke' (a lot), 'Haole' (foreigner/white person), 'Mahalos' (thanks), 'No worry' (don't worry), 'Talk story' (chat/converse), and 'Pau hana' (after work).

Is Hawaiian Pidgin the same as Hawaiian language?

No, Hawaiian Pidgin (Hawaiian slang) is different from the Hawaiian language. Hawaiian is the indigenous Polynesian language of Hawaii, while Hawaiian Pidgin is a creole language that developed on sugar plantations, mixing English with words from Hawaiian, Portuguese, Japanese, Filipino, and other languages.

How can I learn Hawaiian slang?

You can learn Hawaiian slang through our free online dictionary with over 600 terms, interactive translator, pronunciation guides, and real-world examples. Practice with common phrases, listen to audio pronunciations, and explore cultural context to understand authentic Hawaiian Pidgin used by locals.

How do I use the Pidgin translator?

Simply type or paste English text into the translator box and it will convert it to Hawaiian Pidgin. You can also translate from Pidgin to English. The translator uses advanced matching algorithms to provide accurate translations with confidence scores.

Is ChokePidgin.com free to use?

Yes! ChokePidgin.com is completely free to use. All features including the dictionary, translator, and learning materials are available at no cost to help preserve and share Hawaiian Pidgin culture.

How many words are in the Pidgin dictionary?

Our comprehensive dictionary contains over 650 Hawaiian Pidgin terms with pronunciations, examples, cultural context, and usage notes. The dictionary is regularly updated with new entries.

Can I contribute to the dictionary?

Yes! Use our 'Ask a Local' feature to suggest new words, corrections, or share your knowledge about Hawaiian Pidgin. Community contributions help keep our dictionary accurate and comprehensive.

What does 'da kine' mean in Hawaiian Pidgin?

'Da kine' is the most versatile word in Hawaiian Pidgin, meaning 'the thing,' 'that thing,' or 'whatchamacallit.' It's used when you can't remember a word or when context makes it obvious. For example: 'Pass me da kine' means 'pass me that thing.' Learn more with 15+ examples in our complete guide.

What does 'broke da mouth' mean?

'Broke da mouth' is Hawaiian Pidgin for extremely delicious food. It literally means the food was so good it broke your mouth. Example: 'Dat poke was so ono, it broke da mouth!' It's one of the highest compliments you can give to food in Hawaii.

'Pau hana' means 'finished work' or 'after work' in Hawaiian Pidgin. 'Pau' means finished/done, and 'hana' means work. It's commonly used to refer to after-work socializing or happy hour. Example: 'Let's go grab drinks for pau hana!'

What are essential Pidgin phrases for tourists?

Essential Hawaiian Pidgin phrases for visitors include: 'Howzit?' (Hello, how are you?), 'Shoots' (Okay/sounds good), 'Mahalo' (Thank you), 'Ono' (Delicious), 'Pau' (Finished), 'Da kine' (The thing), 'Brah' (Friend), and 'Talk story' (Have a conversation). These will help you connect with locals during your Hawaii visit.

What is the difference between makai and mauka?

'Makai' means toward the ocean and 'mauka' means toward the mountain. These are the primary directional terms used in Hawaii instead of north/south/east/west. Example: 'Turn makai at the light' means turn toward the ocean side. Locals use these terms daily for giving directions.

What does 'choke' mean in Hawaiian Pidgin?

In Hawaiian Pidgin, 'choke' means 'a lot' or 'plenty.' Example: 'Get choke people at da beach today' means there are a lot of people at the beach. It has nothing to do with choking - it's purely a quantity descriptor used frequently in local speech.

What is a Kanak Attack?

'Kanak Attack' is Hawaiian Pidgin for the sleepy, sluggish feeling you get after eating a big meal, similar to a 'food coma.' The term 'kanak' comes from 'Kanaka Maoli' (Native Hawaiian). Example: 'After dat plate lunch, I got one mean kanak attack!' It's especially common after eating local Hawaiian food.

What is 'ono grindz' in Hawaiian slang?

'Ono grindz' means delicious food in Hawaiian Pidgin. 'Ono' means delicious/tasty and 'grindz' means food. It's used to describe really good local food. Example: 'Dis plate lunch get ono grindz!' You'll hear this phrase at food trucks, restaurants, and BBQs throughout Hawaii.

E Komo Mai!

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Howzit, brah!

How are you, friend!

A casual greeting used among friends in Hawaii

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Popular Pidgin Expressions

The slang locals use every day, from "howzit" to "da kine," with pronunciations and examples.

Howzit

HOW-zit

Hawaiian slang greeting meaning "How's it going?" or "What's up?"

Example: "Howzit, brah!"

→ Complete guide to this greeting

Da Kine

dah KYNE

Universal Hawaiian slang for "the thing" when you can't remember the word

Example: "Pass me da kine over there"

→ Learn more with 15+ examples

Shoots

SHOOTS

Hawaiian slang for "okay," "sounds good," or "let's do it"

Example: "Wanna grab lunch? - Shoots!"

→ See all the ways to use "shoots"

Ono Grindz

OH-no GRINDZ

Local Hawaiian slang for delicious food

Example: "Dis plate lunch get ono grindz!"

→ Master this essential food phrase

Pau Hana ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi

POW HA-nah

Hawaiian slang meaning "finished work" or after-work happy hour

Example: "Let's grab drinks for pau hana!"

→ Discover pau hana culture

Broke Da Mouth

BROKE dah MOWT

Hawaiian slang for extremely delicious food

Example: "Dat poke was so ono, broke da mouth!"

→ Learn this food compliment

Brah

BRAH

Hawaiian slang for "brother," "friend," or "dude"

Example: "Eh brah, you like go beach?"

→ How and when to say "brah"

Shaka

SHAH-kah

Hawaiian hand gesture and greeting meaning "hang loose"

Example: "He gave me shaka from his car"

→ Origins of the shaka sign

Grindz

GRINDZ

Hawaiian slang for food or eating

Example: "Where da grindz at?"

→ Complete food culture guide

Pau ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi

POW

Hawaiian slang for finished or done

Example: "You pau with work?"

→ Learn when and how to use it

Choke

CHOKE

Hawaiian slang for a lot or plenty

Example: "Get choke people at da beach"

→ Master this abundance word

Talk Story

TAWK STOR-ee

Hawaiian slang for chat or have a conversation

Example: "Come, we talk story"

→ Hawaii's art of conversation

Mahalo ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi

mah-HA-lo

Hawaiian word for thank you (universal in Hawaii)

Example: "Mahalo for your help!"

→ Gratitude the Hawaiian way

No Worry

NO WUR-ee

Hawaiian Pidgin for don't worry or no problem

Example: "No worry, brah, I got you"

→ The island's laid-back philosophy

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Example Translations:

English: How are you?
Pidgin: Howzit?
English: The food is delicious
Pidgin: Da grindz stay ono
English: I'm finished
Pidgin: I stay pau

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What is Hawaiian Pidgin?
(Not "Pigeon"! )

Hawaiian Pidgin (often misspelled as "Hawaiian Pigeon") is Hawaii's unique creole language, also known as Hawaiian slang or Hawaii Creole English. It's not about birds - it's the vibrant local language spoken by over 600,000 people in Hawaii!

Born on sugar plantations in the 1800s, Hawaiian Pidgin blends English with Hawaiian, Portuguese, Japanese, Filipino, Chinese, and Korean influences. Today, it's the heart of local culture - from casual "talk story" sessions to local music and comedy.

Correct Terms:

• Hawaiian Pidgin
• Hawaiian slang
• Hawaii Creole English

Common Mistakes:

• Hawaiian Pigeon (it's not a bird!)
• Broken English (it's a real language)
• Bad English (it has its own grammar)

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