Hawaiian Pidgin English

Name:

Date:

Instructions: Test your knowledge of Hawaii Creole English, the colorful local language of the islands!

1.
In Hawaiian Pidgin, what does 'da kine' mean?
A
The kind one
B
A type of fish
C
A catch-all word for anything you can't remember the name of
D
The king
2.
What does 'pau' mean in Hawaiian Pidgin?
A
Poor
B
Powerful
C
A paw
D
Finished or done
3.
In Hawaii, what does 'talk story' mean?
A
Tell lies
B
Chat, socialize, or share stories casually
C
Read a book aloud
D
Give a speech
4.
What does 'grind' or 'grinds' mean in Hawaiian Pidgin?
A
Dancing
B
Hard work
C
Food or to eat
D
Surfing
5.
In Hawaiian Pidgin, what does 'brah' mean?
A
Brother or friend
B
An undergarment
C
A type of wave
D
Brave
6.
What does 'shaka' represent in Hawaiian culture?
A
A hand gesture meaning 'hang loose' or 'all good'
B
A type of dance
C
A war cry
D
A greeting card
7.
In Hawaiian Pidgin, what does 'haole' refer to?
A
The ocean
B
A type of flower
C
A foreigner or Caucasian person
D
A hole
8.
What does 'broke da mouth' mean in Hawaiian Pidgin?
A
Talked too much
B
Lost an argument
C
Delicious (so good it 'breaks' your mouth)
D
Broke a tooth
9.
In Hawaii, what does 'mauka' mean?
A
Underneath
B
Toward the ocean
C
Toward the mountains or inland
D
To the left
10.
What does 'choke' mean in Hawaiian Pidgin?
A
To suffocate
B
A lot or plenty
C
To cough
D
Very little
11.
In Hawaiian Pidgin, what is a 'lolo'?
A
A foolish or crazy person
B
A lollipop
C
A type of bird
D
A local hero
12.
What does 'makai' mean in Hawaiian Pidgin?
A
To the right
B
Toward the mountains
C
Toward the ocean or sea
D
Above
13.
In Hawaii, what does 'hanabata days' refer to?
A
Childhood (literally 'runny nose days')
B
Festival days
C
Summer vacation
D
Wedding celebrations
14.
What does 'no can' mean in Hawaiian Pidgin?
A
Not a can
B
No thank you
C
Cannot or it's not possible
D
Not a chance
15.
In Hawaiian Pidgin, what does 'bumbye' mean?
A
Goodbye
B
To bump into someone
C
To buy something
D
Later or eventually

Answer Key

Question 1

C. A catch-all word for anything you can't remember the name of

Question 2

D. Finished or done

Question 3

B. Chat, socialize, or share stories casually

Question 4

C. Food or to eat

Question 5

A. Brother or friend

Question 6

A. A hand gesture meaning 'hang loose' or 'all good'

Question 7

C. A foreigner or Caucasian person

Question 8

C. Delicious (so good it 'breaks' your mouth)

Question 9

C. Toward the mountains or inland

Question 10

B. A lot or plenty

Question 11

A. A foolish or crazy person

Question 12

C. Toward the ocean or sea

Question 13

A. Childhood (literally 'runny nose days')

Question 14

C. Cannot or it's not possible

Question 15

D. Later or eventually

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