noun

shaka

SHAH-kuh

Shaka (noun) means a friendly hand gesture — thumb and little finger extended, middle fingers curled in — used to say hello, goodbye, or "all good". Example: “The surfer gave a shaka as he paddled out.”

noun

A friendly hand gesture — thumb and little finger extended, middle fingers curled in — used to say hello, goodbye, or "all good".

"The surfer gave a shaka as he paddled out."

How to use shaka

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishThe laid-back "hang loose" hand sign associated with surf and beach culture.

Word forms

shakas plural

Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.

Test yourself on “shaka” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The surfer gave a _____ as he paddled out.

Etymology

Origin uncertain; despite its strong Hawaiian associations, "shaka" is not actually a native Hawaiian word.

Rhymes for shaka

AKA baka kaka naka Osaka Tanaka Karnataka

See all rhymes for shaka →

Frequently asked questions

What does “shaka” mean?

The word “shaka” means a friendly hand gesture — thumb and little finger extended, middle fingers curled in — used to say hello, goodbye, or "all good". In plain terms, the laid-back "hang loose" hand sign associated with surf and beach culture.

How do you pronounce “shaka”?

“Shaka” is pronounced SHAH-kuh (/ˈʃɑːkə/ in IPA).

How do you use “shaka” in a sentence?

Here is “shaka” used in a sentence: “The surfer gave a shaka as he paddled out.”

What part of speech is “shaka”?

“Shaka” is a noun.