mahalo
English
Etymology
From Hawaiian mahalo, from Proto-Eastern Polynesian *masalo.
Pronunciation
- (US) IPA(key): /ˈmɑˌhɑloʊ/, /məˈhɑloʊ/
Interjection
mahalo
- (Hawaii) thank you
Usage notes
The word is widely used in public notices in Hawaii, most visibly on trash cans, leading some tourists unfamiliar with the term to infer the meaning as “trash can”.
References
- “Archived copy”, in Hawaiian Words, accessed 2005 May 25, archived from the original on 2008-10-05
Hawaiian
Etymology
From Proto-Eastern Polynesian *masalo, from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *sadəp (compare Tagalog masarap, Malay sedap).
Pronunciation
- IPA(key): /maˈha.lo/, [məˈhɐlo]
Interjection
mahalo
- thank you
- Mahalo nui loa. ― Thank you very much.
- Mahalo ā nui ― Thanks very much.
Noun
mahalo
- thanks, gratitude
- admiration, praise, esteem
- ka mea i mahalo ʻia, Mr. Kamaliʻi ― the esteemed Mr. Kamali
- ʻO wau nō me ka mahalo. ― Respectfully yours.
- regards, respects
Verb
mahalo
- to thank
- to admire, praise, appreciate
References
- The Meaning of Hawaiian Words, accessed 2005 May 25