mahalo, e kuʻu hoa
The Hawaiian phrase for "thank you, my friend" is mahalo, e kuʻu hoa.
The phrase is a friendly expression of gratitude used when speaking to a companion or peer. The word mahalo alone means "thank you."
How does it change in a sentence?
In this phrase, e serves as a vocative particle, which is placed before a name or a title when you are directly addressing that person.
Did you know?
- While mahalo is used for thanks, its ancient roots are shared with the Tagalog word masarap and the Malay word sedap, both of which mean 'delicious'.
- The word mahalo carries a deeper meaning than 'thank you', as it also translates to 'respect', 'praise' and 'admiration'.
- Depending on the context, hoa can refer to more than just a platonic friend, as it can also mean a 'partner' or a 'spouse'.
Examples in context
- Mahalo, e kuʻu hoa, no ka ʻoluʻolu.Thank you, my friend, for your kindness.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries hoa, kuʻu, mahalo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
