How to Say “Thank You, Friend” in Hawaiian

mahalo, e ke hoa
/maˈha.lo e ke ˈho.a/word by word
The phrase "thank you, friend" is translated into Hawaiian as mahalo, e ke hoa.
This phrase is used to express gratitude to a friend.

What does it mean word for word?

The phrase is composed of mahalo (thanks/gratitude), e (a particle used to address someone directly), ke (the) and hoa (friend).

How do you pronounce it?

The pronunciation is /maˈha.lo e ke ˈho.a/. It has 5 syllables and the stress is on the 2nd syllable.

Did you know?

  • The word mahalo shares an ancient root with the Tagalog word masarap, which means 'delicious'. This suggests that the core concept behind the word relates to something being 'pleasing' or 'satisfying' to the senses.
  • In Hawaiian culture, the act of giving thanks is tied to the concept of pono, which refers to a state of balance and righteousness in the world.
  • The word mahalo is often used as a standalone greeting or a general expression of gratitude, but it also means 'respect' and 'admiration' in a spiritual or formal context.

Examples in context

  • Mahalo, e ke hoa, no ke kōkua.
    Thank you, friend, for the help.

Example conversation

Ikaika gives Malia a ride home.

  1. Ikaika

    Eia kou hale, Malia.
    Here is your house, Malia.
  2. Malia

    Mahalo, e ke hoa, no ka holo.
    Thank you, friend, for the ride.
  3. Ikaika

    ʻOle loa, he mea maʻalahi kēlā.
    Not at all, that was easy.
  4. Malia

    A hui hou!
    See you later!

Sources

  • IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (mahalo, e, ke, hoa) and can differ in connected speech.
  • Word origins: Wiktionary entries hoa, ke, mahalo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
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Ruth Christine
Ruth ChristineHelp make this guide better. Spot a mistake, know another way to say it, or have an example from real life? Share it below.
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