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
1
A friendly hand gesture — thumb and little finger extended, middle fingers curled in — used to say hello, goodbye, or "all good".
"Greet someone with the slang, “Howzit?” and say goodbye with a flash of the “shaka” sign (fist closed, thumb and pinky extended) and you have established your credibility with Hawaii natives."
— , Obama: At Home in the Islands (2008)
"The surfer gave a shaka as he paddled out."
How to use shaka
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe laid-back "hang loose" hand sign associated with surf and beach culture.
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Word forms
- Plural
- shakas
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
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.
