kolohe
The Hawaiian phrase for "little rascal" is kolohe.
kolohe refers to a person, often a child, who is mischievous or playful in a naughty way. The term is frequently used by parents or elders to describe a child who is being playfully naughty or mischievous.
How does it change in a sentence?
In Hawaiian, kolohe functions as both a noun and an adjective.
Did you know?
- If you describe the ocean as being kolohe, you are not saying the water is 'bad', but rather that the waves are behaving in an unpredictable, playful, or unruly way.
- You will often see kolohe used as a brand name for local snacks and clothing, turning a descriptor for bad behavior into a marketing identity.
- While kolohe is often used affectionately, it is not a 'cute' word in the way English speakers might use 'rascal'. In some contexts, it can imply a genuine lack of discipline or bad behavior.
Examples in context
- He kolohe kēia keiki.This child is a little rascal.
Example conversation
Kiana sees Ikaika's son hiding her shoes.
- KianaHe aha kāu e hana nei, e kolohe?What are you doing, you little rascal?
- IkaikaE kala mai, Kiana.I am sorry, Kiana.
- KianaHāʻawi mai i nā lauʻu.Give me the shoes.
- IkaikaEia lā.Here they are.
