mahalo

English edit

Etymology edit

From Hawaiian mahalo, from Proto-Eastern Polynesian *masalo.

Pronunciation edit

(US) IPA^(key): /ˈmɑˌhɑloʊ/, /məˈhɑloʊ/

Interjection edit

mahalo

(Hawaii) thank you

Usage notes edit

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 edit

Hawaiian Words‎^[1], 2005 May 25 (last accessed), archived from the original on 5 October 2008

Hawaiian edit

Etymology edit

From Proto-Eastern Polynesian *masalo, from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *sadəp (compare Tagalog masarap, Malay sedap).

Pronunciation edit

IPA^(key): /maˈha.lo/, [məˈhɐ.lo]

Interjection edit

mahalo

thank you
Mahalo nui loa. ― Thank you very much.

Mahalo ā nui ― Thanks very much.

Noun edit

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 edit

mahalo

to thank
to admire, praise, appreciate

References edit

The Meaning of Hawaiian Words‎^[2], 2005 May 25 (last accessed)