mahalo

English

Etymology

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

Pronunciation

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

Interjection

mahalo

1. (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

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

Hawaiian

Etymology

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

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /maˈha.lo/, [məˈhɐ.lo]

Interjection

mahalo

1. thank you

   Mahalo nui loa. ― Thank you very much.

   Mahalo ā nui ― Thanks very much.

Noun

mahalo

1. thanks, gratitude
2. admiration, praise, esteem

   ka mea i mahalo ʻia, Mr. Kamaliʻi ― the esteemed Mr. Kamali

   ʻO wau nō me ka mahalo. ― Respectfully yours.

3. regards, respects

Verb

mahalo

1. to thank
2. to admire, praise, appreciate

References

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