ʻīlio pēpē
The Hawaiian word for puppy is ʻīlio pēpē.
The term is used to refer to a young dog.
Meaning: young dog (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
This phrase is a compound of ʻīlio, which means dog and pēpē, which means baby or infant.
Did you know?
- The word pēpē in ʻīlio pēpē is actually a borrowed word from the English 'baby'.
- In ancient Hawaii, the ʻīlio was one of the few land animals brought to the islands by the first Polynesian settlers.
- Historically, some ʻīlio in Hawaii were used as sources of food rather than just as pets or hunting companions.
Examples in context
- He ʻīlio pēpē kēia.This is a puppy.
- Makemake au i ka ʻīlio pēpē.I want a puppy.
- He ʻīlio pēpē kēlā.That is a puppy.
Example conversation
Two friends are looking at a pet store window.
- KeanuE nānā, he ʻīlio pēpē kēlā!Look, that is a puppy!
- LeilaniHe mea nani loa ʻo ia.It is very beautiful.
- KeanuE kōkua mai i ka ʻīlio pēpē.Help the puppy.
- LeilaniʻAe, e kōkua kāua.Yes, let's help.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries pēpē, ʻīlio, CC BY-SA 4.0.
