kalua pig
Meaning: pork slow-cooked in an underground oven
Meaning
Usage: A whole pig cooked in an imu (underground oven) until smoky and tender, then shredded; a lūʻau staple. At home and in plate lunches it is usually made in an oven or slow cooker with Hawaiian salt. Also called kalua pork.
Examples
"Get kalua pig and cabbage at da plate lunch place."
"Uncle wen dig da imu fo' da kalua pig."
"Fo' da baby lūʻau get kalua pig, lomi salmon, and poi."
Origin & Cultural Context
Origin: Hawaiian kālua, to bake in an imu (underground oven).
Frequently Asked Questions
What does "kalua pig" mean in Hawaiian Pidgin?
"kalua pig" means "pork slow-cooked in an underground oven" in Hawaiian Pidgin. A whole pig cooked in an imu (underground oven) until smoky and tender, then shredded; a lūʻau staple. At home and in plate lunches it is usually made in an oven or slow cooker with Hawaiian salt. Also called kalua pork..
How do you pronounce "kalua pig"?
"kalua pig" is pronounced "kah-LOO-ah pig". Click the "Hear Pronunciation" button above to listen!
How do you use "kalua pig" in a sentence?
Example: "Get kalua pig and cabbage at da plate lunch place."
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Pidgin & Local Culture Corner
Pidgin Grammar Tip
"Using 'mo' before an adjective creates a comparative, like 'mo bettah' for 'better'."
Local Culture Fact
"Many Pidgin words have roots in Portuguese, Cantonese, Japanese, Filipino, and Hawaiian."
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