Filters

Idioms

Phrases

Proverbs

Loan words

Historical loan words

Filters

Idioms

Phrases

Proverbs

Loan words

Historical loan words

noa iho

1. only, just, merely, quite, that and no more, that and nothing better, completely, totally - often has the sense of treating the things or activities it modifies as being of little importance. The iho following noa can also intensify the free from limitations meanings of noa.

I titiro noa iho mai ia ki a au. / She just looked at me.
Pūrikiriki noa iho te maihi o taua whare (White 2 1889:73). / The bargeboard of that house was completely shattered.

Show example

Hide example

Synonyms: anake, anahe, nahe, tika, tou, noa, tōkeke, noa ake, tonu, kau, ia rā, heipū, mārie, mārika, mārire, ia, ake, tata

rarawe noa iho

1. easy as, easy-peasy, it’s as easy as that.

Erica: Ka hinga Te Tonga-o-Awherika i Te Kapa-Ōpango hei tēnei wīkene? Snowy: Āe mārika, e kō, rarawe noa iho! / Erica: Will the Springboks lose to the All Blacks this weekend? Snowy: Definitely, sis, it’ll be a walk in the park.

Show example

Hide example

kore noa iho

1. nothing, none, not any, not one, nil, nobody.

Tau: Nā wai i kati te kūaha? Ira: Nā kore noa iho. I ākina noatia e te hau (HJ 2012:46). / Tau: Who shut the door? Ira: Nobody did. It was slammed by the wind.
Koirā te mate ina whai te tangata kia mutu tana kaipaipa, ka nihoniho mō te kore noa iho te take (HJ 2012:46). / That's the problem when a person tries to stop smoking, they become quarrelsome for no reason.

Show example

Hide example

Synonyms: karekau, korekore, kāore kau, kore, kāore he tangata, ware, pākorehā, , korekore ana (nei), aha

(inā) koinā noa (iho)

1. if that's all - an idiom to play down the importance or value of something.

Inā koinā noa iho tāna ka pahure, he aha i tonoa atu ai? / If that’s all he’s good for, why bother asking him?
Kāore au e mōhio mēnā he tohutohu ēnā ki ahau nā taku tamarikitanga, mēnā he tohutohu whānui tonu tēnā, mēnā koinā noa iho rānei tā tērā pakeke ōku tohutohu (Rewi 2005:235). / I don't know if those were instructions to me when I was young, if it was general advice, or if that was all that that elder advised.
Mēnā koinā noa iho, ā kāti tukuna kia kōrero. / If that's all, then let him speak.

Show example

Hide example

hei aha (noa iho)

1. there's no point, don't bother, don't worry about it - an idiom indicating that there is no point in pursuing a particular activity.

Homai tō poraka. Māku e kānihi. Hei aha. He moumou tāima. / Give me your jersey, please. I'll mend it. There's no point. It's a waste of time.
Inā nōnā anō tōna hē hei aha noa iho i aroha atu ai. / When it’s her own fault then let’s not have any sympathy.

Show example

Hide example

ki hea noa iho

1. that's just asking for trouble, you're tempting fate - an idiom expressing the speaker's belief that what has been suggested will end badly.

Rangi: E Mā, kei te haere au ki Bosnia. Pare: Ai, kaua e haere. Ki hea noa iho koe mate kurī noa iho ai (HKK 1999:105). / Rangi: Mum, I'm going to Bosnia. Pare: Oh! Please don't go. You'll just get killed.
Ā, e hāngai ana anō tēnei ki a tātou, te hunga pakeke. Ki hea noa iho tātou raruraru ai ki te rite tonu tō tātou ngākau kawa ki te reo o iwi kē (HM 2/1996:2). / And this is also applicable to us, the older generation. We are asking for trouble if we have a bad attitude towards the dialects of other tribes.

Show example

Hide example

tangi kurī noa iho

1. crying for nothing, crying for no reason.

Kāti te tangi kurī noa iho. / Stop crying for nothing.

Show example

Hide example

he mahi pai noa iho ...

1. easy as, it was no problem, it is no problem, it will be no problem, it's a piece of cake - a statement used by a speaker to suggest that a task is an easy one.

Tana tīki mārika ki te kī mai he mahi pai noa iho tēnei mahi e whakakeka nei i a tāua (HKK 1999:201). / What a cheek he has to say that this task that you and I are attempting is a piece of cake.

Show example

Hide example

me mutu pai (noa iho)

1. let’s finish on a good note.

Kei te kotiti haere ngā kōrero, me mutu i konei, me mutu pai rā hoki. / We’re starting to digress, let’s finish here, let’s finish on a good note.

Show example

Hide example

moumou (noa iho) te aro atu

1. don't pay any attention, don’t waste your time or energy, waste of time.

Moumou noa iho te aro atu ki te hunga e whakatakē ana i te reo Māori. / Don’t pay any attention to those who disparage the Māori language.

Show example

Hide example

iho

1. (particle) down, downwards, from above, in a downwards direction - indicates direction downwards towards the speaker, away from the speaker, away from a group, or from someone other than the speaker. Like the other three directional particles, mai, atu and ake, it always follows manner particles (i.e. kau, , noa, rawa and tonu) if they are present in the phrase.

(Te Kākano Textbook (Ed. 2): 127, 120;)

Heke iho! / Get down!
Nā ka tū iho a Karihi, ka tangi rāua mō te oraititanga o tōna teina (NM 1928:41). / Karihi stood down there and they both wept for the narrow escape of his (Tāwhaki's) younger brother.

Show example

Hide example


2. (particle) after that, following that - used in time expressions, seemingly for emphasis. It often occurs with muri to indicate time after that just mentioned, in the past or future. In these time phrases rawa may be included to indicate a fairly long time after that mentioned, or tonu and tata may be included to indicate a time shortly after that just mentioned.

(Te Kākano Textbook (Ed. 2): 121;)

I muri iho i ēnei mea kua kōrerotia ake nei, ka hoki a Mānia ki Hokianga. / After these events spoken about above, Mānia returned to Hokianga.
I muri tata tonu iho i te pōhiri, ka kai rātou. / Immediately after the welcome ceremony they ate.
mua iho anō te mana o te reo o te wahine (Te Ara 2017). / The mana of a woman’s voice is ancient.
Nā, tēnei te tikanga mō ngā kaipuke pākaru. Ka paea tētahi ki uta ka eke, ko te mea mātāmua e whakaaroa e koutou ko ngā tāngata kia whakaorangia; muri iho ngā taonga; muri rawa iho ngā papa, ngā haika, ngā hēra, ngā aha o te kaipuke (TK 1/12/1843:47). / Now, this is the process for wrecked ships. When one runs aground, board it and the first thing that you should consider is the people to be saved; after that it's the cargo; and eventually after that it's the timber, anchors, sails and other parts of the ship.

Show example

Hide example


3. (particle) below, under - emphasises distance with location words, especially raro.

(Te Pihinga Textbook (Ed. 2): 45;)

Kei raro iho te kakī i te rae. / The neck is below the forehead.

Show example

Hide example

See also raro iho


4. (particle) less, worse, shorter, lower - used with some words (e.g. kinoiti, poto and raro) when comparing things, especially when it is a lesser quality or expresses smallness, scarceness, badness, etc. This also applies to verbs created by prefixing whaka- to adjectives such as these.

He iti iho te utu mō te tamariki i te pakeke. / The price for children is less than adults.
Kua kino iho ngā marangai, ngā tauraki, ngā waipuke i ō ngā wā o mua (HJ 2015:184). / Storms, droughts and floods are worse than in former times.
Kua whakaitia iho e au te utu o aku pūtu me aku hū (TWMNT 21/5/1879:420). / The price of my boots and shoes has been reduced.

Show example

Hide example

Synonyms: iti iho, whakaheke, whakamahuru, whakararo


5. (particle) straight away - used to show an immediate sequence of events.

I taku taenga ki runga, ka kite iho au kua motu te tupehau o taku waewae. / When I reached the top I saw straight away that the calf of my leg was cut.

Show example

Hide example


6. (particle) Used to indicated a time approaching in the future, especially following heke.

Me tāpiri atu he kōrero whakamārama kia kore ai e pōrahurahu ā tātou tamariki, ā tātou mokopuna ā ngā tau e heke iho nei (RK 1994:113). / Some explanations should be added so that our children and grandchildren in the coming years are not confounded.

Show example

Hide example


7. (particle) Used to reinforce words with negative connotations, such as darkness, sadness, troubles and death. Actions that involve considerable time and effort, or are weightier or have a solemn connotation may also use iho.

Kātahi rātau ka pakanga, ka hinga te hoariri i a rātau, ā, mate iho te kaiwhakahaere o te hoariri (TPH 15/1/1900:6). / Then they fought, they defeated the enemy and the enemy's leader died.
Ka puta ake he paoa i te poka, ānō he paoa nō tētahi kāpura nui; ā pōuri iho te rā me te rangi i te paoa o te poka (PT Whakakitenga 9:2). / There arose a smoke out of the pit, as the smoke of a great furnace; and the sun and the air were darkened by reason of the smoke of the pit.
Koutou ngā tāngata kai paipa, me whakaaro iho ki ngā mea kino o taua mahi. / You people who smoke should consider the detrimental things about that activity.

Show example

Hide example


8. (particle) only, just, merely, quite - when immediately following noa.

Ka rūrū noa iho te poaka i tōna pane. / The pig just shook its head.

Show example

Hide example

See also noa iho

noa

1. (particle) only, solely, just, merely, quite, until, at random, idly, fruitlessly, in vain, as soon as, without restraint, freely, unimpeded, unbridled, casually, easily, without any fuss, suddenly, unexpectedly, spontaneously, instinctively, intuitively, by accident, unintentionally, without restriction, without conditions, randomly, without knowing why, to no avail, for no good reason, very, exceedingly, absolutely, already, right up until - a manner particle following immediately after the word it relates to. Denotes an absence of limitations or conditions. Often occurs in combination with other particles, e.g. noa iho. Where noa follows a verb in the passive it will take a passive ending also, usually -tiaAs with other manner particles in Māori, while having a general overall meaning, noa can be translated in a variety of ways, depending on the context.

(Te Kākano Textbook (Ed. 2): 120; Te Pihinga Textbook (Ed. 2): 91-92;)

Tekau mita noa pea hei omanga māku. / I probably had only 10 metres to run.
He nui ngā whenua i tukua noatia, i hokona rānei e Kahutia ki ngā tāngata whai me te kāwanatanga (TTR 1994:33). / Kahutia had given and sold considerable areas of land to settlers and the government.
Tēnei hoki tētahi minita Pākehā kei konei, i mate tana mokopuna, kawea ana ki te nehu, ā, i tīmata anō ia i te karakia nehu. Nō te tukunga iho ki te poka oma ana ia, kīhai i mutu tana karakia nehu, ā, tanumia noatia iho e ngā tāngata hāpai (TWMNT 13/3/1877:76). / And then there was a Pākehā minister here whose grandchild died and when she was taken to the burial he began the burial service. When she was being lowered into the grave he fled without finishing his burial service and she was just buried by the pallbearers without ceremony.

Show example

Hide example

See also noa ake, noa atu, noa iho

Synonyms: anake, anahe, nahe, noa ake, tonu, ia, ia rā, kau, mārie, mārika, mārire, heipū, ake, tata, tika, tou, noa iho, tōkeke


2. (verb) to be free from the extensions of tapu, ordinary, unrestricted, void.

(Te Kōhure Textbook (Ed. 2): 237-240; Te Kōhure Video Tapes (Ed. 1): 6;)

Puta mai ai te tangata i te urupā, me tāuhi ia i ōna ringaringa me tōna upoko ki te wai kia noa ai ia. / When a person comes out of a cemetery he/she should sprinkle water on his/her hands and head so that she/he is freed from tapu.

Show example

Hide example

See also tapu, rāhui, whakanoa

Synonyms: kai paipa, māori, kai parāoa, kaipaipa

ake

1. (particle) from below, upwards, in an upwards direction - indicates direction upwards when following verbs of motion. It may indicate an upwards direction towards the speaker or away from the speaker, a group, or someone else. Like the other three directional particles, atu, mai and iho, it always follows manner particles (i.e. kau, , noa, rawa and tonu) if they are present in the phrase.

(Te Kākano Textbook (Ed. 2): 27, 120;)

Piki ake ki konei! / Climb up here, please!
Ka titiro ake ia ki ngā whetū e kapokapo mai ana i te rangi. / She looked up at the stars twinkling in the sky.

Show example

Hide example


2. (particle) upwards, in an upwards direction - used with verbs which designate perception or attitude. It may also be used to reinforce words with positive connotations, such as progress, enlightenment, good health and to indicate an action that is performed quickly and with ease.

Ka mīharo ake i te mea ko te wā i tuhia ai e ia ngā kōrero nei kua eke kē a Hēmi ki te taumata o te tangata e kīia ai ia 'he kōkōmuka noho tara-ā-whare', arā, ko ōna tau whakahingahinga, whakatā hoki (HP 1991:v). / It is amazing because the time when these stories were written was when Hēmi had reached the age of being a stay-at-home, that is, his years of retirement.
Ko ngā mea i ora ake, i taki omaoma ki ngā whāruarua i uta huna ai (TTR 1990:153). / The ones who survived fled inland to the valleys to hide.
I haere ia ki te Kura Māori o Raukōkore, ā, pai ana te haere o te ako i a ia; kitea ake ana e ōna kura māhita tōna pūmanawa (TTR 2000:1). / He attended Raukōkore Native School and the learning progressed well; his teachers quickly recognised his talents.

Show example

Hide example


3. (particle) Implying direction to some place connected with the speaker, the listener, or someone else, but not where she/he/they are at the time.

Engari, ki te peka ake koe ki tōku kāinga, haria ake anō he kai māu. / But if you stop off at my home, take some food for yourself.
I mua i tana nehunga i Kōkōhīnau ka mauria ake a ia ki te mahau o Ruataupare, takoto ai (TTR 1996:231). / Before her burial at Kōkōhīnau she was carried to the veranda of Ruataupare to lie in state.

Show example

Hide example


4. (particle) immediately, without delay, from that time, from that time on, forthwith - indicating a further immediate action.

Titiro ana a Hana Kōkō ki te tamaiti, tangi ake ia. / When Santa Claus looked at the child, the child cried.

Show example

Hide example


5. (particle) just, recently, promptly, thereupon - used in time expressions, seemingly for emphasis. In this usage ake is often followed by nei to indicate that the action will take just a short while, or it has been over for a short while.

(Te Kākano Textbook (Ed. 2): 121;)

Kua kōrerotia e au tēnei i mua ake nei. / I have spoken about this just before.

Show example

Hide example

See also ake nei

Synonyms: tonu, wawe, tere, tou, noa, noa iho, tōkeke, noa ake, ia, ia rā, heipū, kau, mārika, mārire, mārie, tata, tika


6. (particle) Used to emphasise distance, especially with location words.

(Te Pihinga Textbook (Ed. 2): 45;)

I kuhu te titipounamu ki roto ake i te puare o te tīwai o te tawhai. / The rifleman went right into the hole in the trunk of the beech tree.
I tanumia a ia ki Korowhata, e whakatāiri rā i runga ake o Pūtiki (TTR 1990:17). / He was buried at Korokata, above Pūtiki.

Show example

Hide example


7. (particle) Used when comparing things. This includes iti, although it may often be followed by iho. This usage will normally be used with adjectives, but verbs created by prefixing whaka- to adjectives (e.g. whakarahi, whakapoto, whakaroa) or location words may be used.

(Te Kākano Textbook (Ed. 2): 101;)

He pai ake tēnei i tēnā. / This is better than that.
He nui noa ake te taupori o Kirikiriroa, tēnā i tō Rāhui Pōkeka. / Hamilton's population is a lot more than that of Huntly.
Me whakapoto ake te kōrero i konei, me kī i mīharo, i whakamihi, ngā mema Pākehā ki te ahua ki ngā mahi a ngā iwi o Te Tai Rāwhiti i kitea e ō rātou ake kanohi (TKO 31/3/1921:4). / The account here should be abbreviated, but I should say that the Pākehā members were amazed and they praised the nature of the work of the tribes of the East Coast that they saw with their own eyes.
(Kei te whakairia e Rangi he whakaahua ki te pakitara.) Rangi: Ki konei? Hine: Kāo, ki runga ake (HJ 2015:176). / (Rangi is hanging a picture on the wall.) Rangi: Here? Hine: No, higher up.

Show example

Hide example

See also kaha ake


8. (particle) original, indigenous, own, real, very own, personal, personally - to emphasise to whom something belongs or for whom something is intended. With possessive pronouns the word order is variable, e.g. tōku waka ake or tōku ake waka.

(Te Pihinga Textbook (Ed. 2): 45-46;)

Ko te iwi Māori te iwi ake o Aotearoa. / The Māori people are the indigenous people of New Zealand.
Ki te haere ia ki ngā hui, me mau te tangata i tōna ake tauera (TTT 1/11/1927:686). / If he goes to gatherings a person should take his own towel.

Show example

Hide example

Synonyms: taketake, tūturu, , anō, tipu, tupu


9. (particle) myself, herself, himself, yourself, ourselves, themselves - indicates the reflexive when it occurs with ki te or i a followed by a pronoun.

Hei reira, i roto i tō wira, ka tukua e koe ō taonga ki aua kaitiaki, ā ka whakahaerea e rāua me te mea nā rāua ake anō aua taonga, otirā he mahi kau tā rāua i aua taonga mō ō tamariki anō (TWMNT 7/4/1874:83). / Then, in your will, you give your property to those trustees, and they will use it as if that property belongs to themselves, but they will do it for your children.

Show example

Hide example


10. (particle) exactly, right, truly, just - can intensify certain words, including question words, locative nouns and sometimes kore.

Kei hea ake ngā tamariki weriweri rā? / Just where are those horrible children?
konei ake te nuinga o aku hoa. / The majority of my friends are from right here.
Kore ake a Timi i toa ki te whakapākehā i te ‘pōkokohua’ a Eruera ki te Kāwana Tianara (EM 2002:214) / Timi was just not brave enough to translate Eruera's 'pōkokohua' for the Governor General.

Show example

Hide example


11. (particle) and so on, and the like, and other places, elsewhere, etc. - to indicate things that are additional to those already mentioned.

Ko ia tonu te tangata tiaki i ō rātou pānga i Te Wairarapa, i Kaikōura, i Taranaki, i hea ake, i hea ake (TTR 1998:210). / He himself was the person looking after their land interests in Wairarapa, Kaikōura, Taranaki and elsewhere.
Āpiti atu ko ngā taputapu whakatangitangi - kia rangona atu te tangi a te pūtōrino, a te pūtātara, a te pahū me te aha ake (HM 3/1998:8). / In addition there are the musical instruments - so that the sounds of the pūtōrino (large traditional flute), the conch shell trumpet, the gong and other instruments can be heard.

Show example

Hide example

1. (particle) there (by the listener) - used after nouns, location words, pronouns and personal names to indicate position or connection with the listener or the principal character in a narrative. Like the other two locative particles, nei and , it follows manner particles (i.e. kau, kē, noa, rawa and tonu) and directional particles (i.e. mai, atu, iho and ake) in the phrase if they are present.

(Te Kākano Textbook (Ed. 2): 44;)

He tūtaeruru te ngārara . / That insect is a grass grub.

Show example

Hide example


2. (particle) Used to refer to something just said by the listener or the speaker.

I mua o te taenga mai o tēnei ope kua hoki mai anō a Rongo ki tētehi o ōna pā, ko Motu-wheteke te ingoa. Koia nā te pā i whawhaitia ai a Rongo (JPS 1911:104). / Before this war party arrived Rongo and his people had returned to one of his other pā, named Motu-wheteke. It was in this pā where Rongo was attacked.

Show example

Hide example


3. (particle) Used following possessive determiners to imply that the thing possessed is a little distance away, associated with the listener, or simply for emphasis.

(Te Kākano Textbook (Ed. 2): 85-86;)

Whakarāpopototia ēnei kōrero ki āu ake nā kupu. / Summarise this story in your own words.

Show example

Hide example


4. (particle) who, that, which - when used in dependent clauses to refer to something or someone just mentioned or mentioned by, or associated with, the person being spoken to.

(Te Kākano Textbook (Ed. 2): 120;)

Ko tēnā te kākahu i whatua e koe. / That is the cloak that you wove.

Show example

Hide example


5. (particle) Used following koe, kōrua, koutou when giving opinions, etc.

Ki a koe nā, me pōti au mō tēhea rōpū tōrangapū? / In your opinion, which political party should I vote for?
Ki a kōrua nā, he pai tonu hoki tēnei ture, nē rā? / In your opinion, this law is quite alright, isn't it?

Show example

Hide example


6. (particle) Sometimes used in close association with the same locative particle, or another, for emphasis e.g. nei nā.

I te kitenga atu o ngā koroua, o ngā kuia i te kaipuke o Kāpene Kuki, ka karanga, "He motu, he motu rere mai nō tawhiti ina e tere mai nei nā." (RK 1994:46). / When the elderly men and women saw Captain Cook's ship they called, "It's an island, it's an island sailing here from afar, it's sailing right here."

Show example

Hide example


7. Used as a suffix in the words such as tēnā, ēnā, pēnā, konā, anā and koinā.

nei

1. (particle) here - used after nouns, location words, pronouns and personal names to indicate position or connection with the speaker or the principal character in a narrative. Like the other two locative particles, and , it follows manner particles (i.e. kau, kē, noa, rawa and tonu) and directional particles (i.e. mai, atu, iho and ake) in the phrase if they are present.

(Te Kākano Textbook (Ed. 2): 44;)

Haria atu te toki nei ki kō! / Take this axe over there, please!

Show example

Hide example

See also neki


2. (particle) Also used to imply nearness to the present time, or a time or event just referred to.

Ka whakawhiti rāua ki Te Ika-a-Māui i te rā nei. / They cross to the North Island today.
I karangahia tēnei ko Te Heke Hauhaua, ā, ko Te Kāeaea tonu tētahi o ngā rangatira. Koia nei pea te wā i hoki ai a ia ki Te Wairarapa (TTR 1990:202). / This was called Te Heke Hauhaua and Te Kaeaea was one of the leaders. This was probably the time that he returned to Wairarapa.

Show example

Hide example


3. (particle) who, that, which - when used in dependent clauses to refer to something or someone just mentioned.

(Te Kākano Textbook (Ed. 2): 120;)

Ko Hōri te tangata e tū atu nei. / The man who is standing here is George.

Show example

Hide example


4. (particle) Used following au, māua, mātou when giving opinions, etc.

(Te Kākano Textbook (Ed. 2): 85-86;)

Ki a au nei, kāore a Nāhinara e rata ana ki te iwi Māori. / In my opinion, the National Party isn't kindly disposed towards the Māori people.

Show example

Hide example


5. (particle) Used following possessive determiners to imply that the thing possessed is nearby, or for emphasis.

(Te Kākano Textbook (Ed. 2): 85-86;)

Ki ōku nei whakaaro, kāore he take o tēnei Kāwanatanga. / In my opinion this Government is useless.

Show example

Hide example


6. (particle) Also used as a suffix in words such as tēnei, ēnei, pēnei, anei and koinei.

See also koinei, konei, ēnei, pēnei, tēnei


7. (particle) Used before koa and to introduce explanatory sentences.

Ka haere mātou ko aua tupua ki roto ki te awa o Whitianga, nei koa, he tokotoko i te ringaringa o ētahi o rātou mau haere ai (TAH 52:45). / Then we and those foreigners went up the Whitianga River. Now some of them carried rods in their hands

Show example

Hide example

See also nei koa, nei rā


8. (particle) here - often starts a sentence.

Nei ka noho, ka noho, ka mahuki ake a whakaaro tērā pea ka whai hua tonu te wero atu ki te pātai, "He aha ia tēnei mea, te mātauranga Māori?" (HM 1/1998:2) / Here I sit and sit, and thoughts spring to mind that perhaps there is value in challenging with the question, "Just what is this thing Māori knowledge?"

Show example

Hide example


9. (particle) on and on - used to indicate a long duration when the phrase with nei is repeated.

Ka mea atu tērā, "Waiho rā kia toru hoki ngā pō e rere ai, ā, ka kore e kitea te whenua, ka hoki ai tātou." Ka whakaae mai ngā hoa. I rere nei, rere nei. Kua tata ki te whenua (MM.TKM 1/11/1855:9). / That one said, "Let us wait and sail for three more nights and if we not don't find land we will return." The companions agreed. So they sailed on and on. Then they were near land.

Show example

Hide example

Synonyms: haere ake nei, mau ake nei, āke, ake, ake

1. (particle) over there, there, yonder - used after nouns, location words, pronouns and personal names to indicate position or connection not near or connected with the speaker or listener or the principal characters in a narrative. It may indicate a spacial distance, or a distance in past or future time as discussed below. Like the other two locative particles, and nei, it follows manner particles (i.e. kau, kē, noa, rawa and tonu) and directional particles (i.e. mai, atu, iho and ake) in the phrase, if they are present.

(Te Kākano Textbook (Ed. 2): 44;)

Kātahi anō te tangata ka puta mai. / The man over there has just appeared.

Show example

Hide example

See also raka, rārā

Synonyms: korā,


2. (particle) Used to imply distance from the present time, either in the past or future.

Ka mahi rātou i runga anō i ngā tikanga o mua rā. / They worked in accordance with the customs of earlier times.
Tēnei ka rongo au kua whakaae a Tā Hōri Kerei kia tū tēnei Pire i tēnei tau anō, engari hei tērā tau rā anō whakatūturutia ai hei Ture (TWMNT 2/11/1875:260). / I heard that Sir George Grey has agreed that this Bill should be passed this year, but that its final passing into law should be next year.

Show example

Hide example


3. (particle) that, which, who - when used in relative clauses after the verb. The verb will be preceded by i or e.

(Te Kākano Textbook (Ed. 2): 120;)

Kei te tika tonu ngā kōrero mō ngā tohorā i ārahi atu i te waka, i a Tākitimu. / The narratives about the whales that guided the Tākitimu canoe there are quite correct.

Show example

Hide example


4. (particle) I wonder - an intensifier especially used with questions.

Ka pēhea ā rātou kōrero mōku? / I wonder what they will say about me?

Show example

Hide example


5. (particle) Sometimes used in close association with the same locative particle, or another, for emphasis e.g. rā rā.

Mutu rawa tōna waiata, ka whakatarunatia kia titiro te iwi nei ki te moana, ka karanga, “Ka puta rā rā! Ka puta rā rā!” (M 2004:160). / After singing her song, she enticed the people to look towards the sea, calling out, “There it goes! There it goes!”

Show example

Hide example


6. (particle) Used as an intensive in greetings and requests.

Haere ! / Goodbye!

Show example

Hide example


7. (particle) Used as a suffix in the words such as tērā, ērā, pērā, korā, arā and koirā.

See also koirā, korā, pērā, ērā, tērā

rārā

1. (particle) over there, there, yonder - variation of . Used after nouns, location words, pronouns and personal names to indicate position or connection not near or connected with the speaker or listener or the principal characters in a narrative. Like the other two locative particles, and nei, it follows manner particles (i.e. kau, kē, noa, rawa and tonu) and directional particles (i.e. mai, atu, iho and ake) in the phrase, if they are present.

Me i noho koia hoki te Pākehā ki ētahi whenua atu rārā, tēnā hoki e pēhea? (JPS 1990:151). / If the Pākehā lived in other scattered lands, how would that be?

Show example

Hide example

mai

1. (particle) this way - indicates direction towards the speaker, or to the person (or thing) who is central to the utterance. Follows ordinary verbs, statives and location words. Like the other three directional particles, atu, iho and ake, it always follows manner particles (i.e. kau, kē, noa, rawa and tonu) if they are present in the phrase.

(Te Kākano Textbook (Ed. 2): 27, 120; Te Pihinga Textbook (Ed. 2): 63-64;)

Kua hoki mai ngā kuaka. / The godwits have returned.
Ka whakanohoia te mōkai kākā ki te take o te taki, e tūtata tonu mai ana ki te whare o te tangata, ko tētehi pito o te turuturu e uru tonu mai ana ki roto i te whare (JPS 1895:136). / The decoy kākā is deposited at the foot of the taki (kākā snare), quite close to the man's hut, one end of the turuturu (support pole) entering right into the hut.

Show example

Hide example


2. (particle) from, since - indicating an extension in time or space. It marks the point from which the time or place is measured.

(Te Pihinga Textbook (Ed. 2): 64;)

Mai i Te Pakanga Tuarua o Te Ao ki nāianei. / Since the Second World War until now.
E mōhio ana te Kōti Whenua Māori nō tōna whānau ngā pānga nui ki ngā whenua mai i Maketū ki Tauranga, ā, mai i Ōkawa ki Te Rotoiti (TTR 1994:143). / The Māori Land Court knew that her extended family owned the lands from Maketū to Tauranga and from Ōkawa to Rotoiti.

Show example

Hide example


3. (particle) Used with verbs to indicate a perception or attitude towards the speaker.

Ka pātai atu au mehemea ka taea e rātou te tunu mai i aku kai. / I asked if they could cook my food.

Show example

Hide example


4. (particle) Used in narrative to indicate direction towards the main character.

I moe iho a Kupe i te pō ka kite i te atua, i a Io, ka tohutohungia mai ki a ia me whiti mai ia i Te Moana-nui-a-Kiwa ki te whenua tērā e whakakitea ki a ia. / Kupe slept that night and saw the atua, Io, who instructed him to cross the Pacific Ocean to the land that had been revealed to him.

Show example

Hide example


5. (particle) including, both - when referring to different kinds of people or things using nouns followed by mai but without a determiner.

(Te Māhuri Textbook (Ed. 2): 97;)

Kī tonu te wharepuni i te tāngata, Pākehā mai, Māori mai. / The sleeping house was full of people, both Pākehā and Māori.

Show example

Hide example


6. (particle) Used in time expressions, seemingly for emphasis. This usage includes future time expressions.

(Te Kākano Textbook (Ed. 2): 121;)

I rongo au i muri mai i haere ia ki Tīpene kura ai. / I heard that after that he went to school at St Stephen's.
Hei te Paraire e heke mai nei tīmata ai te wā whakanui i te koroneihana o Kīngi Tūheitia ki runga i te marae o Tūrangawaewae. / On this coming Friday the celebration of King Tūheitia's coronation begins on Tūrangawaewae marae.

Show example

Hide example

atu

1. (particle) away - indicates direction away from speaker, or from the person (or thing) who is the focus of the utterance. Also indicates onwards following verbs of motion. Like the other three directional particles, mai, iho and ake, it always follows manner particles (i.e. kau, , noa, rawa and tonu) if they are present in the phrase.

(Te Kākano Textbook (Ed. 2): 27, 120;)

Tīkina atu he tūru mōku! / Fetch me a chair, please!
Titiro tonu atu ana ōna kaumātua ki te whakamahi i ōna kaha ki te kōrero, me tōna pai ki te whakatau i ngā whakahaere i waenga i a ia me ngā āpiha Pākehā a te kāwanatanga. (TTR 1994:73). / His elders were continually observing his ability in speaking and dealing successfully with the Pākehā officials of the government.

Show example

Hide example


2. (particle) away, in a direction away - used with verbs which designate perception or attitude.

Kātahi au ka titiro i taku ringaringa, ka kite au e heke ana te toto. Ngoikore tonu atu au. / Then I looked at my hand and saw that it was bleeding. I became quite faint.

Show example

Hide example


3. (particle) other, others, next but one, before last, beyond that - when used following tērā and ērā in time expressions. When speaking of future events, atu  is used to indicate a time further into the future than that just referred to or about to be referred to.

Ā tērā atu wiki haere ai mātou ki Heretaunga. / The week after next we travel to Hastings.
Kei Tāmaki-makau-rau rāua i te rā nei. Hei tētahi rangi atu, ka tae ki Te Kauwhata. E rua rangi atu, kei Rotorua. / They are in Auckland today. The next day they arrive in Te Kauwhata. They're in Rotorua in two days time.

Show example

Hide example

Synonyms: , anō, ērā atu, kē atu, ētahi, ngētehi, ētehi


4. (particle) Used when comparing things. This includes iti, although it may often be followed by iho.

(Te Kākano Textbook (Ed. 2): 101;)

He roa atu te whiore o te kau i tō te poaka. / A cow's tail is longer than that of a pig.
He iti atu te kapa kotahi ki te pereiti mā ngā minita, i te rau pauna a te tangata hei ako i tana tamaiti i ngā kāreti nunui (TKO 30/4/1920:9). / One penny in the plate for the ministers is smaller than a person's hundred pounds to teach his child in the large colleges.

Show example

Hide example


5. (particle) Used with a verb repeated with mai to indicate reciprocal action.

atu ana, tū mai ana rāua i tētahi taha o te awakeri. / They stood facing each other beside the ditch.

Show example

Hide example


6. (particle) further - used to emphasise distance.

(Te Pihinga Textbook (Ed. 2): 45;)

Kei tua atu ia i a Hine. / She is beyond Hine.
Te āhua nei kei waho iti atu o Kaiwaka tō rātou tawhiti ki waho (JPS 1957:230). / It would seem that their position was a little further out from Kaiwaka.

Show example

Hide example


7. (particle) other, another, some other, someone else - especially in the phrase tētahi atu.

Homai tētahi atu pune! / Pass me another spoon, please.
Tokowhā ngā kaiako, ā, i tēnei tau kua whiwhi te kura i tētahi atu. / There were four teachers and this year the school has another one.

Show example

Hide example


8. (particle) including - when referring to different kinds of people or things using nouns followed by atu but without a determiner.

(Te Māhuri Textbook (Ed. 2): 97;)

I hīkoi atu te tira ki Maungapōhatu, koroua atu, kuia atu, pakeke atu, tamariki atu. / The travelling party walked to Maungapōhatu, including elderly men, elderly women, adults and children.

Show example

Hide example


9. (particle) Used in time expressions, seemingly for emphasis.

(Te Kākano Textbook (Ed. 2): 121;)

Nō mua atu tēnei aituā i te Pakanga Tuatahi o te Ao. / This disaster was before the First World War.

Show example

Hide example


10. (particle) apart from, other than, aside from, other, others - followed by i. Also used to indicate things that are additional to those already mentioned.

Atu i a koe, kārekau aku hoa. / Apart from you, I have no friends.
E whā i mate, e waru atu i taotū. / Four died and eight were wounded.

Show example

Hide example

ai

1. (particle) always, regularly, usually - shows habitual action. In this usage the verb is followed by ai, but no particle is used before the verb. In this and all the following subentries, if present, a manner particle (i.e. kau, , noa, rawa or tonu) will follow immediately after the verb, then a directional particle (i.e. mai, atu, iho, or ake), and then ai. Other particles (i.e. anō, hoki, anake, koa, rānei or pea) will follow ai in the phrase. The other locative particles, nei, , and ana do not occur when ai is used.

(Te Pihinga Textbook (Ed. 2): 8;)

Haere ai rāua ki te whare karakia i ia Rātapu. / They go to church every Sunday.
Ahakoa haere ia ki hea, haria ai e ia tana kurī. / No matter where she goes she takes her dog.
Haere ai ngā tāngata i ētahi wā, heoi anō, hoki tonu mai ai rātou (TWK 35:19). / People go away sometimes, but they continually return.

Show example

Hide example


2. (particle) and then, consequently - when ka preceeds the verb and ai follows it, this denotes an action or state consequent upon some previous action. This usage may also follow another clause beginning with .

(Te Pihinga Textbook (Ed. 2): 68; Te Kōhure Textbook (Ed. 2): 29;)

Whakarongo ki ngā tohutohu, ka tīmata ai i ā koutou mahi. / Listen to the instructions and then start your work.
Kua pāhitia e te Kāwanatanga kia toru ngā tau kātahi ka hoki ai ngā minita ki ō rātou mīhana (TTT 1/11/1921:9). / The Government has passed a law that after three years the ministers then return to their missions.
tāu rourou, tāku rourou, ka ora ai te iwi (HJ 2012:190). / With your small flax plaited food basket and my small flax plaited food basket the visitors will be sustained.

Show example

Hide example

See also ka ... ai


3. (particle) when will, when did - used in questions and statements about when something happened or will happen. For the past tense i will preceed the verb and ai will follow, but in the future tense ai will follow the verb, but no particle, ka or e may preceed the verb.

(Te Kākano Textbook (Ed. 2): 46, 85;)

Nōnahea ō mōhiti i ngaro ai? / When did your glasses go missing?
Āhea kōrua haere ai ki Te Waipounamu? Ā te 14 o Poutūterangi. / When do you two go to the South Island? On the 14th of March.
Hei te Rāhoroi tāua whakatā ai. / On Saturday you and I will rest up.
Kua hikitia tā tātou hui - hei ātahirā rā anō kaai. / Our meeting has been put off - it will be held the day after tomorrow.
Mō āwhea e tuwhera ai te huarahi hou? (HJ 2012:185). / When will the new road open?

Show example

Hide example


4. (particle) by what means, by what way, via where - in questions and statements about how someone is travelling or via what place.

(Te Kākano Textbook (Ed. 2): 47-48;)

Mā hea koe haere ai? Mā runga pahi. / How did you travel? By bus.
Mā hea kōrua hoki atu ai ki Tāmaki-makau-rau - mā Tauranga, mā Rotorua rānei? Mā Tauranga. / What way are you two returning to Auckland - via Tauranga or Rotorua?

Show example

Hide example

See also mā hea


5. (particle) when, where, which, who, whom, that, during which, at which (time), that caused, by which, whereby, why - In clauses in the past tense expressing a resultant action in relation to a particular time, place, reason, way, thing or person already stated in the first part of the sentence. In these subordinate clauses, i will preceed the verb and ai will follow.

(Te Māhuri Textbook (Ed. 2): 43-44; Te Pihinga Textbook (Ed. 2): 23-24; Te Kākano Textbook (Ed. 2): 28-29, 120;)

Ko Te Arawa te waka i ū mai ai ki konei. / Te Arawa was the canoe that landed here.
Ko te 1840 te tau i hainatia ai te Tiriti o Waitangi (HJ 2012:187). / The year that The Treaty of Waitangi was signed was 1840.
He hōhā nōku i kōrero pēnā ai. / It was because I was fed up that I spoke like that.
Koia rā te huarahi i tae mai ai rātou ki te marae. / That was the road by which they reach the marae.
Kāore taku mokopuna i whiwhi i tāna i hiahia ai ia. / My granddaughter didn't get that which she wanted.

Show example

Hide example

See also tā ... i ... ai, he aha ... i ... ai, he aha ... i kore ai e ...?, he aha ai?, te ... ai


6. (particle) when, where, which, who, whom, that, during which, at which (time), that caused, by which, whereby, why - In clauses in the future tense expressing a resultant action in relation to a particular time, place, reason, way, thing or person already stated in the first part of the sentence. In these subordinate clauses, e (or sometimes ka) will preceed the verb and ai will follow. Also used for habitual actions and for subordinate clauses when time is more general and not just the future.

Ko te 7 o Haratua te rā e haere ai māua ki Potukara. / The 7th May is the day that she and I go to Portugal.
Ko te Hōhipera o Waikato te wāhi e pokaina ai ahau. / Waikato Hospital is the place where I will be operated on.
Mā te hīkoikoi i ia rā e ora ai ahau. / By walking each day I will become healthy.
Ko Aroha te wahine e tūtaki ai koe i te whare pukapuka. / Aroha is the woman who you meet at the library.
Me pēwhea ka ora ai tātou? (HJ 2012:189). / How will we survive?

Show example

Hide example

See also he aha ... e ... ai, te ... ai


7. (particle) to (do something) - after verbs following location as an alternative to ki te.

(Te Kākano Textbook (Ed. 2): 129;)

Haere atu ki korā tākaro ai! / Go over there to play!
Ki whea tātou tūtaki ai ā mua o te konohete? / Where will we meet before the concert?

Show example

Hide example


8. (particle) so that, in order that - after kia.

(Te Kākano Textbook (Ed. 2): 99; Te Māhuri Textbook (Ed. 2): 31-32;)

E tuhia ana ēnei kupu kia ako ai koe i te reo Māori. / These words are being written so that you can learn Māori.

Show example

Hide example

See also kia kore ai ... e ..., kia ... ai


9. (particle) mainly because.

I wera katoa i te ahi, i te maroke ai hoki o aua rākau. / It was burnt completely by the fire, mainly because the timber was so dry.

Show example

Hide example


10. (particle) why?, that - the negative also combines with ai, often to follow he aha to ask 'why', or following a reason that something didn't happen. A verb will be placed between and ai.

He aha kōrua haere tahi mai ai? / Why didn't you two come together?
Nā te pāngia o Hare e te mate tae mai ai ia ki te hui (HJ 2012:192). / Because Harry went down sick, he didn't make the meeting.

Show example

Hide example

See also tē ai he ...

Te Kākano 3rd Edition

New edition of the leading Māori-language textbook out now.

More info

The App

Te Aka Māori Dictionary is also available as an iOS and Android app. Download below.

iOS Android

The Book

Te Aka Māori-English, English-Māori Dictionary and Index by John C Moorfield comprises a selection of modern and everyday language that will be extremely useful for learners of the Māori language.

More info

He Pātaka Kupu

Te kai a te rangatira

He Pātaka Kupu is a monolingual Māori language dictionary, and was designed using its own culturally authentic terms.

Visit website

00:00