How to Say “Pepper” in Hawaiian

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nīoi
The Hawaiian word for pepper (as a spice) is nīoi.
Meaning: spice (noun)

Did you know?

  • Hawaiian does not have a native word for 'spicy' in the sense of heat, often using phrases that describe the tongue 'burning'.
  • The term nīoi was adopted for pepper because the spice's appearance reminded early speakers of the red berries of a local tree.
  • Because the Proto-Polynesian root *unuoi shifted to nīoi, the word reflects a linguistic journey across the Pacific islands over thousands of years.

Example conversation

Malia and Ikaika are seasoning food together.

  1. Malia

    E nānā mai, aia ka nīoi?
    Look, is the pepper here?
  2. Ikaika

    ʻÆole, ʻaʻole anuanu ka nīoi.
    No, the pepper is not there.
  3. Malia

    E ʻimi i ka nīoi i ka pahu.
    Look for the pepper in the cupboard.
  4. Ikaika

    Kūpono, ua loaʻa ka nīoi!
    Right, I found the pepper!

Sources

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Chase George
Chase GeorgeHelp make this guide better. Spot a mistake, know another way to say it, or have an example from real life? Share it below.
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