🌺 Hawaiian phrases

How to Say "Delicious" in Hawaiian

The SPAIKING TeamJuly 27, 2026
pono
"Delicious" in Hawaiian · say it like poh-noh

The most natural way to say "Delicious" in Hawaiian is pono. Tap the speaker above to hear it, then say it back out loud. That is the fastest way to make it stick.

Other ways to say it

ʻono
more casual and commonly used in everyday conversation
maikaʻi
can mean good or nice, but also used for food

When to use it

You can use 'pono' when you want to compliment food that tastes great. It is suitable for both formal and informal settings. 'ʻono' is often used among friends or family. Use 'maikaʻi' when referring to food in a more general sense.

Say it out loud, get corrected

Reading it is not the same as saying it. Practice "Delicious" and thousands more with an AI coach that listens.

Examples in Hawaiian

HawaiianEnglish
He mea ʻono kēia.This is delicious.
Pūlehu ka ʻiʻo, he mea pono.The meat is grilled, it is delicious.
Common mistake
Some learners confuse 'pono' with 'pono' meaning right or correct; context is key.

The fastest way to remember it

Vocabulary you only read fades fast. Vocabulary you say out loud sticks. Hear pono, repeat it a few times, then use it in a real sentence. SPAIKING lets you practice exactly that, speaking Hawaiian with a coach that corrects your pronunciation in real time. You can start with two free conversations.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between 'pono' and 'ʻono'?

'pono' is more formal, while 'ʻono' is casual and widely used in everyday conversations.

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