Aloha
n.kind, joyfulwarm
What it means
A Hawaiian greeting or farewell that can also express affection and goodwill.
Reach for it when using the Hawaiian term in a context where its cultural meaning is relevant
The host welcomed the paddlers with aloha and fresh leis.
Choose between these
5- everyday
a simple English greeting is all the context needs
not when Hello loses aloha's Hawaiian identity and broader sense of goodwill.
- warm
loving feeling is the intended meaning
not when Affection omits the cultural and greeting functions of aloha.
- warm
hospitality toward an arrival is central
not when Welcome cannot serve as a farewell.
- formal
farewell
the parting meaning is explicit
not when Farewell loses the affectionate greeting sense.
- formal
benevolent feeling matters more than greeting
not when Goodwill is not a conventional salutation.
Said against
3- hostility
- ill will
- rejection
It naturally appears in
3- spirit of aloha
The hosts shared food in a genuine spirit of aloha.
- say aloha
We paused to say aloha before boarding the ferry.
- warm aloha
A warm aloha greeted every arriving family.