Back to Dictionary

popo

Meaning: police

Pronunciation: POH-poh
people beginner

Meaning

• police

Usage: Refers to the police. It's a common term used in Pidgin to refer to law enforcement officers. It is used in various contexts, from reporting a crime to warning about police presence.

Examples

"Popo coming"

"Da popo wen' stop me fo' speedin'."

"Better watch out, da popo stay around."

Origin & Cultural Context

Origin: Likely derived from the English word "police".

Frequently Asked Questions

What does "popo" mean in Hawaiian Pidgin?

"popo" means "police" in Hawaiian Pidgin. Refers to the police. It's a common term used in Pidgin to refer to law enforcement officers. It is used in various contexts, from reporting a crime to warning about police presence..

How do you pronounce "popo"?

"popo" is pronounced "POH-poh". Click the "Hear Pronunciation" button above to listen!

How do you use "popo" in a sentence?

Example: "Popo coming"

Quick Actions

Related Pidgin Words

Pidgin & Local Culture Corner

Pidgin Grammar Tip

"To indicate past tense, Pidgin often uses 'wen' before the verb (e.g., 'I wen go' for 'I went')."

Local Culture Fact

"The 'okina (ʻ) is a consonant in the Hawaiian language representing a glottal stop."

Want to learn more? Try whole sentences in our English to Pidgin translator, check out our Learning Hub, or Talk Story with Kimo!

Practice Your Pidgin

How Local You Stay?

Think you know how for use "popo"?

Take the Quiz →