kanaka

See also Kanaka, and kānaka

English

Wikipedia

Alternative forms

• Kanaka

Etymology

1840. From Hawaiian kanaka (“person”), ultimately from Proto-Polynesian *taŋata.

Noun

kanaka (plural kanakas)

1. A person of Hawaiian descent.
2. (historical) A South Pacific Islander, especially a labourer in Australia or Canada.

Translations

a person of Hawaiian descent

• Russian: канак (ru) (kanák) m

See also

• Canuck
• Kanak
• Kanake (German)

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Hawaiian

Etymology

From Proto-Polynesian *taŋata

Noun

kanaka (irregular plural kānaka)

1. human being
2. subject, retainer
3. a Hawaiian

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Tok Pisin

Etymology

Probably from German Kanake (see other entries on this page for more).

Noun

kanaka

1. aborigine; native; tribesman

Derived terms

• bus kanaka/buskanaka

See also

• tokples