mahalo

English

Etymology

From Hawaiian mahalo

Interjection

mahalo

1. (Hawaiian English) thank you.

Usage notes

The word is widely used in public notices in Hawaii, most visibly on trash cans, leading some to infer the meaning as "trash can".

References

• Hawaiian Words, accessed on 2005-05-25

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Hawaiian

Etymology

Proto-Eastern Polynesian *masalo.

Pronunciation

• IPA: /maˈhalo/

Interjection

mahalo

1. thank you

   mahalo nui loa — thank you very much.

Noun

mahalo

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

   Ka mea i mahalo ʻia, Mr. Kamaliʻi — the esteemed Mr. Kamaliʻi.

   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, accessed on 2005-05-25