Happy birthday
everyday, Pidgin
In Hawaiian Pidgin people simply say Happy birthday, often with a friendly tag like "brah" or "yeah". The Hawaiian language version, Hauʻoli lā hānau, is also common on cards. It is also called Happy birthday, brah.
Meaning: birthday wish (phrase)
Ways to say it
| Hawaiian | Note |
|---|---|
| Happy birthday | everyday, Pidgin |
| Happy birthday, brah | casual |
| Hauʻoli lā hānau | Hawaiian |
Pidgin uses the same words as English for this wish, so the difference lies in tone and the friendly extras. Locals add words like "brah", "sistah" or "yeah".
Which one should you use?
Hauʻoli lā hānau is Hawaiian, not Pidgin, but many people in Hawaii use it. It means "happy day of birth".
Is it said differently in some regions?
Hawaiian Pidgin is an English-based creole spoken in Hawaii, and Hawaiian is a separate language.
Did you know?
- In Hawaii people call older women "Auntie" and older men "Uncle" even when they are not relatives.
Examples in context
- Happy birthday, brah.Happy birthday, bro.
- Eh, happy birthday, yeah.Hey, happy birthday.
- Hauʻoli lā hānau, Auntie.Happy birthday, Auntie.
Example conversation
Keoni surprises his friend Leilani with a cake on her birthday in Honolulu.
- KeoniEh Leilani, happy birthday!Hey Leilani, happy birthday!
- LeilaniWow, mahalo, Keoni.Wow, thank you, Keoni.
- KeoniCome, we go eat da cake.Come, let us go eat the cake.
