Quick Answer
"Rajah" (pronounced "RAH-jah") is Hawaiian Pidgin for "roger that," "got it," "okay," or "understood." It's a Pidgin adaptation of "roger" - the military/radio term for acknowledging a message. Often used as "rajah dat" (roger that), it's a quick, casual way to confirm you heard and understood something. You might hear "Rajah, I go pick you up at 5" or just "Rajah!" as a simple acknowledgment.
🗣️ How to Pronounce "Rajah"
Breakdown:
- "Ra" - like "rah" (as in "rah rah")
- "jah" - soft "jah" sound
Say it naturally: "RAH-jah" - quick and confident, like you're confirming something
Common phrase: "Rajah dat!" (Roger that!) - often said with enthusiasm
📖 The Meaning Behind "Rajah"
Origin
"Rajah" comes from "roger" - the word used in military and radio communications to confirm a message was received and understood. In the NATO phonetic alphabet, "Roger" represents the letter "R" and came to mean "received." Hawaii's strong military presence (Pearl Harbor, numerous bases) helped spread this term into local slang, where it evolved into the Pidgin pronunciation "rajah."
Common Uses
"Rajah" is used to acknowledge and confirm:
- Agreement: "Rajah, sounds good!"
- Understanding: "Rajah dat, I understand"
- Confirmation: "Rajah, I'll be there"
- Acknowledgment: Just "Rajah!" by itself
Military Connection
Hawaii has one of the highest concentrations of military personnel in the US. The mixing of military culture with local culture has influenced Pidgin vocabulary. Terms like "rajah" became part of everyday speech as military families integrated with local communities. It's a perfect example of how Hawaii's unique position as a military hub has shaped its language.
💬 How to Use "Rajah" - Real Examples
"Meet me at 6?" "Rajah!"
Translation: "Meet me at 6?" "Got it!"
"Bring da cooler, okay?" "Rajah dat!"
Translation: "Bring the cooler, okay?" "Roger that!"
"Rajah, I pick you up at your house."
Translation: "Okay, I'll pick you up at your house."
"Turn left at da light." "Rajah, left at da light."
Translation: "Turn left at the light." "Got it, left at the light."
🔄 Ways to Say "Okay" in Pidgin
Rajah
Roger that, understood
Shoots
Okay, sure, let's do it
Kay Den
Okay then, alright
Fo Shua
For sure, definitely
🔗 Related Hawaiian Pidgin Terms
Shoots
Okay, sure, sounds good
Kay Den
Okay then, alright
Fo Shua
For sure, definitely
Can
Yes, okay, possible
No Worry
No problem, don't worry
Guaranz
Guaranteed, for sure
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