Example: “That haupia cake broke da mouth!”.(Noun): Hawaiian desserts made from coconut milk.Example: “She’s hapai and proud of it.”.(Adjective): The state of being pregnant.Example: “He hapa – Hawaiian and English.”.(Noun): This word literally means half but is usually used to refer to people who are part Hawaiian.Example: “Look at that haole over there.”.This can also be used in an insulting way if said person is being disrespectful. Example: “After that job interview, I’m happy to say…hanapa’a!”.(Expression): This is similar to saying, “I’ve got it!” It literally translates to tying something down or stabilizing it, though.Example: “Ew! Don’t eat that hanabata!”.

Because picking your nose is generally seen as a childish act, hanabata days essentially means “nose-picking days,” or your childhood.

Example: “I’ve known my wife since my hanabata days.”.

(Noun): Your childhood when you were a kid.

(Expression): A phrase that essentially means “encore,” or to encourage someone to repeat something.

(Verb): When something is disorganized and messy.

Example: “I’m gonna stay hale tonight.”.

Example: “Halala, I’m in huge trouble.”.

(Expression): A Filipino phrase that’s the equivalent of saying “uh-oh.” You say this when someone else has or you have an issue.

Example: “My favorite snack is candied ginger crack seed.”.

It’s made from preserved fruits that are split open with the seed still inside.

Example: “So I heard through da coconut wireless that you’re single again…”.

(Expression): This is the Hawaiian equivalent to the old saying, “hearing something through the grapevine.” In other words, this is when you hear something through gossip.

Example: “Don’t cockroach stuff from friends.”.

Example: “You have choke money – no need to be chang.”.

(Verb): Hawaiian pidgin that means a large amount of something.

Example: “The water was so cold, I got all chicken skin.”.

(Expression): You can say this to show that you’re excited or happy about something.

Example: “Stop being chang and pay your employees more, brah.”.

(Adjective): A word that means someone is really stingy and cheap.

Hawaiian pidgin 101