The Vowels in Maori
A as in (AR)CHER
E as in (E)GG
I as in Kiwi
O as in (OR)DER
U as in WH(O) With the vowel -U- the English word
closest for pronunciation is -Who- sounding out the letter -U-
Angry ~Riri
Happy - Koa Katakata - Laugh
Sad - Pouri
Cry/Crying - Tangi/Tangihia
Surprised - Hika ma =Aue!
Wink - Kimokimo
Hush - Turituri
Cheeky - Whakatete
Simple Maori Words
Kia ora
Hi
Tenâ koe
Hello (to one person)
Tenâ kôrua
Hello (to two people)
Tenâ koutou
Hello (to three or more people)
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Inquiring Question
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Kei te pehea koe?
How are you?
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Responses
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Kei te pai ahau
I’m good
Ka nui te ora
I’m great
Me koe?
And you?
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Farewells
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Haere râ
Goodbye (to someone leaving)
E noho râ
Goodbye (to someone staying)
Ka kite anô
See you again
Hei konâ
See you later
Hoa
Friend
Hoa Rangatira
Husband, wife, partner
Hoki
Return also
Hangarei
Brother/sister inlaw
Kainga
Home
Kei hea
Where
Korua
Two people
Mama
Mother
Mataamua
Eldest sibling
Me
And
Mokopuna
Grand Child/Grand children
Raua
They, them (two people)
Tama
Son
Tamahine
Daughter
Tamaiti
Child
Tamariki
Children
Taua
We/us (two people)
Tipuna
Grand parents
Tokohia
How many
Whangai
Adopted/foster child
Matua
Father
Wairua
Spirit
Tapu
Holy
​
Wairua tapu
Holy spirit
Ihu Kariati
​Jesus Christ
Paki paki
Clapping
Mahi
Work
Kai
Food
Rangatira
Chief
Kotiro
Girl
Karu
Eye
Taringa
Ear
Ringa ringa
Hands
Nau mai haere mai
Welcome
Ka pai
Good
He rawe
Excellent
Kei runga noa koe
You’re the Best
Tino pai rawa atu
Awesome
To ingoa tuatahi
Your first name
To ingoa whanau
Your surname
To kainga taku mera
Postal address
Whenua
Country
Te reka hoki o to reo
Beautiful sound of your voice
Paarekareka
Fantastic
Tumeke
Fabulous, awesome
Whanau
Family