one time
Meaning: immediately
Usage: In Pidgin, "one time" emphasizes urgency or immediacy, similar to "right now" or "immediately" in English. It's a direct command or request, often used when someone needs to act without delay. It can also be used to confirm something, like in the second example.
"Go store one time!"
"Eh, you gotta go clean your room one time!"
"I wen' tell 'em come over one time, yeah?"
Origin: The phrase likely evolved from the English phrase "one time," but in Pidgin, it took on a more emphatic meaning. The usage reflects the direct and efficient communication style common in Hawaii.
What does "one time" mean in Hawaiian Pidgin?
"one time" means "immediately" in Hawaiian Pidgin. In Pidgin, "one time" emphasizes urgency or immediacy, similar to "right now" or "immediately" in English. It's a direct command or request, often used when someone needs to act without delay. It can also be used to confirm something, like in the second example..
How do you pronounce "one time"?
"one time" is pronounced "won tyme". Click the "Hear Pronunciation" button above to listen!
How do you use "one time" in a sentence?
Example: "Go store one time!"
bumbumbai
eventually, later on, by and by
a goin
going, about to
errbody
everybody, everyone
how you figgah?
how is that possible?, how do you figure?
kachi kachi
Puerto Rican dance music in Hawaii, upbeat island accordion music
lanai
porch, balcony, patio
"Plurals in Pidgin are often formed by adding 'them' or 'dem' after the noun (e.g., 'The boy dem')."
"The shaka sign (🤙) is a common gesture in Hawaii expressing the 'Aloha Spirit'."
Want to learn more? Check out our Learning Hub or Talk Story with Kimo!