pōpoki
/poːˈpo.ki/
In Hawaiian, the phrase for kitty is pōpoki.
pōpoki is a noun used as a pet name for a cat of any age.
Meaning: pet name for a cat of any age (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
The word has 3 syllables, with the stress on the 2nd syllable. The IPA is /poːˈpo.ki/.
Did you know?
- The word pōpoki likely originated from the English phrase 'poor pussy', reflecting a historical connection between the two languages.
- Domestic cats are not native to the Hawaiian Islands and were introduced by early sailors and explorers.
- In traditional Hawaiian settings, the role of cats was primarily as pest control for canoes and storehouses before they became common household pets.
Examples in context
- He pōpoki kēia.This is a kitty.
Example conversation
Malia and Koa are looking at a cat in the garden.
- MaliaE nānā i ka pōpoki!Look at the kitty!
- KoaHe pōpoki nani ia.That is a beautiful kitty.
- MaliaHiki ke pā i ka pōpoki?Can we pet the kitty?
- KoaʻAe, hiki mai.Yes, come here.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry pōpoki, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries pōpoki, CC BY-SA 4.0.
