What Does "Small Kine" Mean? 🤏

Hawaii's Way of Saying "A Little Bit" or "Kind Of"

Quick Answer

"Small kine" (pronounced "smawl KYNE") is Hawaiian Pidgin for "a little bit," "kind of," "somewhat," or "slightly." It's used to downplay or minimize something - whether describing a small amount, a mild degree, or being modest about something. You might hear "I stay small kine hungry" (I'm a little hungry) or "Das small kine expensive" (That's kind of expensive). It's the opposite of "choke" (a lot) in Pidgin.

🗣️ How to Pronounce "Small Kine"

smawl KYNE

Breakdown:

  • "Small" - same as English "small"
  • "Kine" - rhymes with "mine" or "wine"

Say it naturally: "smawl KYNE" - two quick words, emphasis on "kine"

Note: "Kine" is a versatile Pidgin word that can mean "kind of," "type of," or be used as a general modifier.

📖 The Meaning Behind "Small Kine"

1

Origin

"Small kine" combines the English word "small" with "kine" (from "kind" or "kind of"). In Pidgin, "kine" evolved to become a general modifier meaning "kind of" or "type of." Together, "small kine" literally means "small kind" but is used to express "a little bit" or "somewhat." It's a perfect example of how Pidgin creates new expressions by combining English words in unique ways.

2

Common Uses

"Small kine" is incredibly versatile:

  • Quantity: "I like small kine rice" (I want a little rice)
  • Degree: "I stay small kine tired" (I'm a little tired)
  • Modesty: "I can play small kine" (I can play a little/somewhat)
  • Minimizing: "Das small kine pilikia" (That's a minor problem)
  • Hedging: "Small kine hard, but can" (Kind of hard, but doable)
3

Cultural Note

"Small kine" reflects the local culture of humility and not overstating things. Even if someone is really good at something, they might say they can do it "small kine" to be modest. It's also used to soften requests or complaints - saying something is "small kine expensive" sounds less harsh than saying it's "too expensive."

💬 How to Use "Small Kine" - Real Examples

1
Amount

"Can I get small kine more?"

Translation: "Can I get a little bit more?"

2
Feeling

"I stay small kine sick today."

Translation: "I'm feeling a little sick today."

3
Ability

"I can surf small kine."

Translation: "I can surf a little bit." (often modest)

4
Opinion

"Das small kine weird, yeah?"

Translation: "That's kind of weird, right?"

5
Time

"Wait small kine, I coming."

Translation: "Wait a little bit, I'm coming."

6
Price

"Das small kine pricey."

Translation: "That's somewhat expensive."

🔄 "Small Kine" vs "Choke"

🤏

Small Kine

  • • A little bit, somewhat
  • • Minimizes or downplays
  • • Shows modesty
  • • "Small kine tired" = a little tired
💪

Choke

  • • A lot, plenty, very much
  • • Emphasizes or amplifies
  • • Shows intensity
  • • "Choke tired" = really tired

These are opposites - use "small kine" for less, "choke" for more!

🔗 Related Hawaiian Pidgin Terms

Choke

A lot, plenty - opposite of small kine

Da Kine

The thing, whatchamacallit

Litto Bit

Little bit - similar to small kine

Kine

Kind of, type of - versatile modifier

Mayjah

Major, big - intensifier

Plenny

Plenty, a lot

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