pēkona
The Hawaiian word for bacon is pēkona.
The term refers to a cut of meat, specifically bacon.
Meaning: cut of meat (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word pēkona is a transliteration of the English word 'bacon' adapted to Hawaiian phonology.
Did you know?
- In traditional Hawaiian culture, pork was historically reserved for the 'aliʻi' or nobility, making the idea of bacon a relatively modern culinary addition.
- While pēkona refers to the meat, traditional Hawaiian feasts center on the kalua puaʻa, which is pork roasted in an underground oven called an imu.
- In Hawaiian, every syllable must end in a vowel, which is why the consonant-heavy English 'bacon' becomes the vowel-ended pēkona.
Examples in context
- He pēkona kēia.This is bacon.
- Makemake au i ka pēkona.I want bacon.
Example conversation
Noelani and Ikaika are preparing breakfast together.
- NoelaniIkaika, e kuke i ka pēkona.Ikaika, fry the bacon.
- IkaikaʻAe, e hana au.Yes, I will do it.
- NoelaniHe pēkona ʻino kēlā.That is bad bacon.
- IkaikaʻAʻole, he pēkona maikaʻi kēia.No, this is good bacon.
