mahalo
/maˈha.lo/
mahalo is the Hawaiian word for thank you.
mahalo is used to express gratitude. It can function as a simple "thank you" or as a more profound expression of appreciation and gratitude.
Which one should you use?
To say "thank you very much," you can add nui loa to the end of the phrase to form mahalo nui loa.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /maˈha.lo/. It has 3 syllables, with the stress on the second syllable.
Did you know?
- The word mahalo is closely related to the Tagalog word masarap, which means 'delicious'. Both originate from an ancient root word meaning 'tasty' or 'pleasing'.
- In traditional Hawaiian culture, mahalo carries a spiritual meaning of respecting and acknowledging the divine presence in others and the natural world.
- The Hawaiian language uses the concept of mahalo not just for people, but frequently to express gratitude toward the land and the ocean.
Examples in context
- Mahalo nui loa.Thank you very much.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry mahalo, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries mahalo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
