Quick Answer
"Pilau" (pronounced "pee-LAU") is a Hawaiian word meaning "stinky," "rotten," "spoiled," or "disgusting." It's used to describe bad smells, spoiled food, or anything foul and unpleasant. The word can describe literal bad odors (like rotten fish) or be used figuratively for corrupt behavior or morally "rotten" situations. It's one of the most commonly used Hawaiian words in everyday local speech!
🗣️ How to Pronounce "Pilau"
Breakdown:
- "Pi" - sounds like "pee"
- "lau" - rhymes with "ow" (like saying "ouch")
Say it together: "pee-LAU" - emphasis on the second syllable
Note: Some people pronounce it closer to "pih-LAU" with a shorter first syllable. Both are acceptable!
📖 The Meaning Behind "Pilau"
Literal Meaning
"Pilau" is a genuine Hawaiian word that primarily means foul-smelling, rotten, or decomposed. It was traditionally used to describe spoiled food, rotting organic matter, or anything that had gone bad. Given Hawaii's warm climate where food spoils quickly, this word was (and still is) very practical!
Extended Meanings
"Pilau" has expanded beyond just bad smells:
- Physical: Stinky, smelly, rotten, spoiled
- Moral: Corrupt, unethical, "dirty" (as in dirty politics)
- General: Disgusting, gross, foul, nasty
- Behavior: Sneaky, underhanded, shady
Cultural Usage
"Pilau" is one of those Hawaiian words that everyone in Hawaii knows and uses, regardless of their background. It's fully integrated into local speech and is probably one of the first Hawaiian words visitors learn - usually when someone warns them that the fish at the back of the fridge is "pilau"!
💬 How to Use "Pilau" - Real Examples
"Ho, dis fish stay pilau! Throw um out!"
Translation: "Whoa, this fish is rotten! Throw it out!"
"Brah, yo slippers stay pilau. Leave um outside!"
Translation: "Dude, your slippers are stinky. Leave them outside!"
"Dat politician stay pilau - all about da money."
Translation: "That politician is corrupt - all about the money."
"Dat was one pilau thing fo do!"
Translation: "That was a disgusting/terrible thing to do!"
"Da water at dat beach stay pilau - too much runoff."
Translation: "The water at that beach is gross - too much runoff."
"Check da expiration - I tink da milk stay pilau."
Translation: "Check the expiration - I think the milk is spoiled."
🦨 Common Things Described as "Pilau"
Physical Things
- 🐟 Spoiled fish or seafood
- 🥛 Sour milk or expired dairy
- 🗑️ Overflowing garbage
- 👟 Stinky shoes/slippers
- 🧦 Dirty socks or laundry
- 💩 Animal messes
- 🌊 Polluted water
Figurative Uses
- 🏛️ Corrupt politicians
- 💼 Shady business deals
- 🗣️ Nasty gossip or rumors
- 😈 Mean or cruel behavior
- 🤥 Dishonest actions
- 💔 Betrayal
- ⚖️ Unfair treatment
🔗 Related Hawaiian & Pidgin Terms
Hauna
Smelly, stinky - similar meaning to pilau
Pupuka
Ugly - can also imply unpleasant
Kapulu
Dirty, filthy, unkempt
Ino
Bad, wicked, harmful
Junk
Pidgin for bad, no good, broken
Stink
English equivalent for bad smell/behavior
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