Quick Answer
"Cuzzo" (also spelled cuzo or couso, pronounced "KUH-zoh" or "KOO-zoh") is warm slang for "cousin," a close friend, or a brother-like homie. Just like cuz and bruddah in Hawaii Pidgin, calling someone cuzzo treats them like real ʻohana — whether you grew up sharing the same grandma or just the same surf break.
Two Natural Local Pronunciations:
- "KUH-zoh" — standard relaxed "cousin" vowel + playful "-oh" suffix.
- "KOO-zoh" — rounded Polynesian / island vowel common across Oʻahu's West Side, Kalihi, Samoan/Tongan friend groups, and Pacific slang (which is why people text it as "couso" or "cuzo"!).
Hawaii Pidgin has a rich ladder of brotherhood and friendship terms — each with its own vibe:
| Word | Literal Root | When Locals Drop It |
|---|---|---|
| Brah | Brother | All-purpose everyday Pidgin — works with best friends, surfers in the lineup, or strangers at 7-Eleven. |
| Cuz | Cousin | Friendly, quick local greeting ("Howzit cuz!") that bridges friend and family. |
| Cuzzo | Cousin + -o | Warmer and tighter than cuz — used for real cousins, day-one homies, and hype moments ("Chee, my cuzzo!"). |
| Uso | Samoan for same-sex sibling | Deep brotherly respect borrowed from Samoan communities in Hawaii ("Right on, uso!"). |
| Palala | Hawaiianized "brother" | Old-school local greeting for a solid brother or friend ("Howzit, palala!"). |
"Eh cuzzo, you like go surf Sandy's later?"
Translation: "Hey cousin/bro, do you want to go bodysurfing at Sandy Beach later?"
"Das my cuzzo right dea — we grew up small kid time in Waipahu."
Translation: "That's my close cousin/ childhood bro right there — we grew up together in Waipahu."
"Mahalo fo' da hookup on da truck parts, cuzzo — owe you plate lunch!"
Translation: "Thanks for hooking me up with the truck parts, bro — I owe you a plate lunch!"
"Ho cuzzo, long time no see! How Aunty folks doing?"
Translation: "Whoa cousin, it's been ages! How are your mom and family doing?"
Cuz
Short, friendly local Pidgin word for cousin or buddy
Brah
Hawaii's signature word for brother, bro, or friend
Bruddah
Warm Pidgin term of respect for a local brother
Uso
Samoan-rooted island slang for brother
Sistah
Pidgin for sister or close female friend
Howzit
"How's it going?" — classic local greeting paired with cuzzo
What does cuzzo mean in slang?
Cuzzo is an affectionate slang form of "cousin" used for actual cousins, lifelong friends, or trusted homies in Hawaii Pidgin, Polynesian/Aussie/Kiwi slang, and everyday street slang.
How do you pronounce cuzzo in Hawaii?
Either KUH-zoh or with a rounded island vowel as KOO-zoh.
What is the difference between "cuz" and "cuzzo" in Hawaii?
Cuz works casually with almost anyone, whereas cuzzo carries extra warmth and familiarity for real cousins and close-knit friends.
Is "cuzo" or "couso" the same word as cuzzo?
Yes — cuzo and couso are common phonetic spellings used in texts and DMs.
Do you have to be related to call someone cuzzo?
Nope! In Hawaii's extended ʻohana culture, tight friends are treated like family cousins.
Talk Story Like One Local, Cuzzo!
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