1000 kupu Māori
auē
Alas! An expression of woe, sadness
Pākehā
European person
aua
I don't know; plural of taua
ahau
I, me
au
I, me
wharekura
Māori-medium secondary school
kaua
Negative word, do not, eg: Kaua e tangi - Don't cry
kāti
Stop! as in: 'Stop crying!'
weka
a native woodhen
tohu
a sign, mark; to indicate, point out instruct, advise, save the life of, spare, guide, direct, instruct, appoint; a qualification, eg degree; to
hika
a term of address for both sexes
huia
a treasured bird, now extinct
tipua
a type of taniwha; strange, unusual; a person of high status
tētahi
a, one specific thing
tētehi
a, one specific thing (variant of tētahi)
he
a, some
pāua
abalone
aituā
accident; to have an accident; disaster; to suffer a disaster
anō
again; also, too; self (reflexive)
rererangi
airplane
toroa
albatross
ora
alive, well, healthy, safe
katoa
all
kē
already, instead
hoki
also, too; to go back, return
ahakoa
although
whakamīharo
amazing, astonishing
hēoi
and so, therefore
riri
anger, angry
kararehe
animal
hōhā
annoyed, a nuisance
āporo
apple
pūrere
appliance, machine (electric)
taenga
arrival
whakahīhī
arrogant
hai
as for (variant of hei)
kō
at a distance, yonder
atu
away from current orientation
pēpi
baby
tuarā
back
pēkana
bacon
kino
bad
pēke
bag
paoro
ball
pōro
ball
panana
banana
kete
basket, kit
pekapeka
bat
whanga
bay; to wait;
mutu
be ended, finished (but not necessarily completed)
riro
be obtained, be carried away, gone away
turituri
be quiet! noisy
one
beach, sand
ātaahua
beautiful, well formed
moenga
bed
pī
bee
tīmatanga
beginning
muri
behind, after
pere
bell
painga
benefit, skill, good qualities
hāunga
besides
tua
beyond
nunui
big (plural form)
nui
big, great, many
kaitā
big, sturdy of build
manu
bird
huritau
birthday
pango
black
mura
blaze, flame
toto
blood
kahurangi
blue (colour); woman of high status or rank
poti
boat
tinana
body, trunk, torso
kōiwi
bone
pukapuka
book; lungs
pouaka
box
tamatāne
boy
peka
branch
parāoa
bread, flour
parakuihi
breakfast
hā
breath
piriti
bridge
whānui
broad, wide
pakaru
broken, shattered; broken down
tungāne
brother, of a female
parauri
brown
pūtea
budget, resources
pahi
bus
engari
but, on the contrary
otirā
but, on the other hand
pata
butter
pūrerehua
butterfly
pātene
button
nāna
by him / her, belonging to him / her
keke
cake
kāwhe
calf
waka
canoe; car; vehicle (land, air and sea)
māia
capable, brave, bold
kāpene
captain
motokā
car, motorcar
kāri
card; playing card
kaitiaki
caretaker, caregiver
ngeru
cat
tūru
chair, seat, stool
pīpī
chick, baby
heihei
chicken
ariki
chief, leader
rangatira
chief, leader, boss
tamaiti
child
tamariki
children (plural form of tamaiti)
porowhita
circle, round (variant of porohita)
porohita
circle, round (variant of porowhita)
uku
clay; to wash
mārama
clear, understand
pari
cliff
kahu
cloak, cape, covering
karaka
clock; orange (from the colour of ripe karaka berries)
pātata
close (of distance)
kākahu
clothing, garment
kapua
cloud
makariri
cold
mātao
cold
kāreti
college; carrot
kano
colour
haramai
come
tiki mai
come and fetch, take away
nau
come, go: as in: Nau mai!
whakataetae
competition
rorohiko
computer
ipu
container, bowl
paepae
container; speakers' bench on the marae
kānga
corn
utu
cost, price; to pay for
marae
courtyard; plaza; quadrangle; square
kiia
crowded, full up
maramara
crumbs, small pieces
kapu
cup
kāpata
cupboard
ārai
curtain; to screen off, block
tikanga
custom, habit, agreed way of doing things; reason, meaning
kanikani
dance, to dance
tamāhine
daughter
awatea
daylight
hōhonu
deep
wehenga
departure, leaving; part, division, separation
uri
descendant, offspring
hekenga
descent
rerekē
different, changed
uaua
difficult; muscle, vein, artery
tina
dinner, lunch
paruparu
dirt, mud
paru
dirt, mud, dirty
kōpae
disc
tawhiti
distant, a distant place
rohe
district, area
takiwā
district, region
kauaka
do not (variant of kaua)
tākuta
doctor
kurī
dog
tāra
dollar
tatau
door; to count
ira
dot; gene
iho
downwards
whakararo
downwards
wahie
driftwood
maroke
dry
puehu
dust
taringa
ear
ahiahi
early evening, afternoon
wawe
early, soon, quickly
oneone
earth, soil
rāwhiti
east
ngāwari
easy; soft, supple of texture; kind, pleasant of personality
tapa
edge, margin; to name
mātauranga
education, knowledge
tuna
eel
hēki
egg
waru
eight; to scrape, to peel
kaumātua
elder; elderly
koroua
elderly man, grandfather
kuia
elderly woman, grandmother
mutunga
end
pito
end, extremity; belly button
moka
end, margin, piece
whakamutunga
ending, conclusion
hoariri
enemy
pūkaha
engine
whakamātautau
examination, test
tohunga
expert, priest
kamo
eye
karu
eye
whatu
eye; stone; to weave, knit
kanohi
face
anga
face or move in a certain direction; shell
mata
face, surface; point, blade
tūrehu
fairy
whānau
family; family; to be born / be born
rongonui
famous
pāmu
farm
matū
fat, chemical
pāpā
father, uncle
hākari
feast
huruhuru
feather; body hair; fur
uwha
female animal
taiapa
fence
matimati
finger, toe
ahi
fire
tuatahi
first
ika
fish
rima
five
pūmau
fixed, permanent
haki
flag
harakeke
flax
piupiu
flax skirt worn as part of traditional costume, eg in kapa haka
papa
floor, ground, flat surface
pātiki
flounder (fish)
putiputi
flower
rango
fly, blowfly
huka
foam; ice, frost; sugar
kai
food
waewae
foot
whutupōro
football, rugby
tapuwae
footprint
māna
for him / her, by him / her
mōna
for him / her, unrealised, o category possession
māku
for me, by me
mōku
for me, unrealised, o category possession
māhau
for you (variant of māu)
māu
for you, by you; ā category possession
mō
for, unrealised, ō category possession; about
ngahere
forest
wao
forest
whā
four
tuawhā
fourth
hoa
friend
rata
friendly, at ease, calm
poraka
frog; jersey
mua
front, before
whakamua
frontward, towards the front
hua
fruit; egg; product
ka
future tense verb particle
kēmu
game
māra
garden
whakapapa
genealogy
āta
gently, carefully, deliberately
kēhua
ghost
koha
gift
kōtiro
girl
karāhe
glass, mirror
kāpia
glue
tiki atu
go and fetch, bring
haere
go, come
atua
god
pai
good
kāwanatanga
government
kāwana
government, governor
mokopuna
grandchild
tipuna
grandparent, ancestor
tīpuna
grandparents (plural form of tipuna)
tūpuna
grandparents (plural form of tupuna)
karani
granny, grandmother
kauwhata
graph
pātītī
grass
whakahirahira
great, magnificent, wonderful, very important
kākāriki
green
pounamu
greenstone
rōpū
group
hunga
group of people
ope
group travelling together
kapa
group, row of people, as in: kapa haka
pakeke
grown up, adult; hard, stiff
manuhiri
guest
makawe
hair of the head (human), used in plural: ngā makawe
haurua
half
hāwhe
half
ringa
hand, arm
ringaringa
hand, arm
kakau
handle
harikoa
happy
mārō
hard (of texture, personality)
pōtae
hat
ia
he, she, him, her
māhunga
head
upoko
head; chapter of a book; verse of a song
pare
headband, headdress; to ward off, to divert
hauora
health, healthy
oranga
health, life
manawa
heart
ngākau
heart, as in seat of the affections and feelings
taumaha
heavy, of weight; heavy, difficult of spirit or health
anei
here, by me
konei
here, by speaker
nei
here, by speaker
puke
hill
tōna
his / her, ō category possession, singular
āna
his, her, plural, for ā category items
nōna
his, her, realised possession, ō category
tana
his/her, neutral, singular
ōna
his/her, plural, ō category possession
tāna
his/her, ā category possession, singular
poka
hole; to make a hole in, to pierce
hararei
holiday
kāinga
home
kāinga
home, address, residence, village, habitation, habitat
mīere
honey
hōiho
horse
waiariki
hot spring
hāora
hour; oxygen
whare
house, building
hia
how many?
pēhea
how?
pēwhea
how? (variant of pēhea)
rau
hundred; leaf; to put into
matekai
hungry
mamae
hurt, sore
aihikirīmi
ice-cream
mēnā
if
mehemea
if (presuming not; cf. ki te, if, expressing simple uncertainty)
ina
if, when
inā
if, when
roto
in
rō
in (short form of roto, as in: ki rō whare)
mārika
indeed, quite, certainly; āe mārika
rino
iron
moutere
island
motu
island; cut, cut off
koia
it is, so
haerenga
journey
kiromita
kilometre
mōhiotanga
knowledge
whenua
land
taunga
landing place, resting place, anchorage; fishing ground; to be accustomed to, familiar with
reo
language, voice
rahi
large
ture
law, rule
mauī
left (direction)
toenga
leftovers, remnants
roanga
length of time
reta
letter
pū
letter (of the alphabet); gun; to blow gently
mauri
life spirit
rama
light, torch
uira
lightning; to flash
hiko
lightning; to flash; electricity
rite
like
pēnā
like that, near listener
pērā
like that; yonder
pēnei
like this, near speaker
rārangi
line, row
ngutu
lip, lips
rita
litre
mokomoko
lizard
kawenga
load, luggage, burden
mokemoke
lonely
roa
long
aroha
love, sympathy, compassion
rawe
lovely, excellent
waimarie
lucky, fortunate; luck, good fortune
whakapae
lying crosswise, horizontal
mīhini
machine
nuinga
majority
tame
male animal
tāne
man
kaiwhakahaere
manager, organiser
kau
manner particle, as in: kāore kau, kāre kau, ehara kau; cow; swim
maha
many
tokomaha
many (of people)
mahere
map, plan
whāriki
mat, carpet, rug
pāngarau
mathematics
pea
maybe, perhaps; pear; bear; pair
mīti
meat
rongoā
medicine
hui
meeting
karere
messenger
mita
metre
waenganui
middle, centre, between
waenga
middle, dividing line
miraka
milk
miriona
million
hinengaro
mind, intellect
ōku
mine, plural, ō category possession
nāku
mine, realised possession (ā category), by me
nōku
mine, realised possession, ō category
meneti
minute
moni
money
taniwha
monster, traditional guardian of bodies of water
marama
month, moon
ata
morning, shadow
kōkā
mother, aunt
whaea
mother, aunt
māmā
mother, mum, mummy (informal); easy
maunga
mountain
waha
mouth; to carry on the back; load, burden
ahu
move in a certain direction, to heap up, to look after
tōku
my (ō category possession, singular)
āku
my, mine, for ā category items, plural form of tāku
aku
my, mine, plural form of taku, neutral for possession category
tāku
my, neutral, singular; my, ā category possession, singular
ingoa
name
whāiti
narrow, crowded together
tata
near
kakī
neck
ehara
negative used for nominal sentences; exclamation: sure enough, without a doubt.
kāhore
negative used for verb sentences - not (variant of kāore)
kīhai
negative word - not, used with the past tense
kōhanga
nest
kupenga
net
hou
new
pō
night
iwa
nine
kāo
no!
māori
normal, ordinary, fresh (of water)
raki
north
ihu
nose
kāre
not, none; negative word
kāore
not; negative used for verb sentences
nāianei
now
i nāianei
now; (spelled as ināianei in older texts)
nama
number
tau
number; year, period of time; age, as in: e iwa aku tau; beloved, darling; to land on, alight, come to rest; to settle down
whāinga
objective, aim, purpose
o
of, belonging to
hinu
oil, fat
tawhito
old, former
tuakana
older sibling of the same sex
runga
on
kotahi
one
tahi
one, single
anake
only; just
ātea
open space; outer space
puare
open, opening
putanga
opening, exit
hāngai
opposite, facing
rānei
or
toi
origin, source; native, indigenous; art, knowledge
pani
orphan; to be orphaned
waho
out, outside, the outside
arā
over there, away from us both
rā
over there; sun; day
pākete
packet; bucket
whārangi
page
peita
paint
pepa
paper
matua
parent, father
mātua
parents, fathers (plural form of matua)
wāhanga
part, portion, section; chapter, episode
i
past tense verb particle
huarahi
path, road
ara
path; to rise
taumata
peak, pinnacle; grade, level of achievement
pene
pen
tāngata
people (plural of tangata)
tangata
person
mōkai
pet
pikitia
picture, film
poaka
pig
paipa
pipe
wānanga
place of learning, as in: whare wānanga
wāhi
place, locality; to break, to split, to break open; a part, a portion
aorangi
planet
kaitākaro
player, sportsperson
rekareka
pleasant, delighted
koa
please; happy
rēhia
pleasure, amusement
pou
pole, post
pirihimana
police officer
puna
pool, spring
tūranga
position, job; stopping place, as in: tūranga pahi bus stop
rīwai
potato
karakia
prayer, to pray
taro
presently, by and by
nāwai
presently, in due course, after a while
mana
prestige, authority
taonga
prized possession, treasure; property, possession
āhuatanga
property, characteristic, feature, circumstance
pāhi
purse, to pass
kuini
queen
pātai
question; to ask a question
horo
quick; to crumble, to fall down
rawa
quite, very
irirangi
radio (usually as reo irirangi)
marangai
rain, storm
nanakia
rascal; clever, cunning
kiore
rat
reri
ready
tūturu
real, natural, authentic; fixed, permanent, definite
take
reason, cause, origin; subject of discussion; root, stump
pūtake
reason, cause; root
whero
red
whanaunga
relative, relation
ngārara
reptile, monster
rīpene
ribbon, tape
tāhuhu
ridgepole of a house
matau
right (direction); fish hook
awa
river
rori
road
toka
rock
tuanui
roof
rūma
room
taura
rope, cable
pirau
rotten
tapu
sacred, holy, under ritual restriction
pōuri
sad, dark
tote
salt
kirikiri
sand
mataku
scared, afraid
kakara
scent, smell
kura
school; red; red feather; treasured item
pūtaiao
science
kaipūtaiao
scientist
moana
sea
kaimoana
seafood
kekeno
seal
tātahi
seaside, beach
tuarua
second
kākano
seed
purapura
seed
whitu
seven
āhua
shape, form, appearance
koi
sharp
hipi
sheep
kaipuke
ship
hū
shoe
toa
shop; brave; to win, come first; winner; male animal
ākau
shore, coast
uta
shore, land as opposed to sea or water; to load
poto
short
mere
short club; bush, shrub
ana
showing ongoing action as in: e haere ana
taha
side, edge, margin; to pass by
tuahine
sister, of a male
ono
six
retireti
skates, skating
pūkenga
skilled, expert
kiri
skin
rangi
sky, day
paku
small
kongakonga
small piece, fragment
iti
small, little
poi
small, soft ball on string
haunga
smelly, stinky
auahi
smoke
ngata
snail; to be satisfied
hōia
soldier, warrior
ētahi
some; plural of tētahi
ētehi
some; plural of tētehi (variant of ētahi)
tama
son, nephew; term of address for a boy, son: tama
ākuanei
soon, presently
tonga
south
kaikōrero
speaker, orator
motuhake
special
pūngāwerewere
spider
wairua
spirit
hākinakina
sport; to play sport
whetū
star
tonu
still
piro
stinking, putrid
tōkena
stockings, socks
puku
stomach, belly
kōhatu
stone
pōhatu
stone
pakiwaitara
story
tōtika
straight, direct, right
tauhou
strange, unfamiliar; stranger
manga
stream; branch
aho
string, fishing line, light, to shine
kaha
strong, able
pakari
strong; mature, ripe
ākonga
student, learner
tauira
student; example
tari
study; department
hapū
subtribe; pregnant
tihi
summit; topknot
reka
sweet
kūmara
sweet potato
tēpu
table
nē
tag question, translated variously depending on the English structure; eh?
teitei
tall, high, lofty; height
kōrere
tap
tī
tea; cabbage tree
kaiako
teacher/tutor
tīma
team
roimata
tears
hangarau
technology
waea
telephone; wire
pouaka whakaata
television
tekau
ten
hine
term of address for a girl
koro
term of address for an elderly man, grandfather: E koro
kui
term of address for an elderly woman, E kui.
moko
term of address to a grandchild: E moko; tattoo; lizard
kare
term of address: E kare, dear; ripple; stove, heater
tēnā
that (by the listener)
koina
that is (near listener)
taua
that, previously mentioned (singular)
tērā
that, yonder
te
the
tai
the sea, as opposed to land; tide
ngā
the, plural
kātahi
then
reira
there (previously mentioned)
konā
there, by listener
anā
there, by you
ēnei
these (near me); plural of tēnei
rātou
they, them, three or more people
rāua
they, them, two people
akoranga
thing that is taught or learnt
mea
thing; to say
tuatoru
third
tēnei
this (by the speaker)
koinei
this is
ēnā
those, near you; plural of tēnā
ērā
those, over there; plural of tērā
mahara
thought, memory; worried, anxious
mano
thousand
miro
thread
toru
three
tokotoru
three (people)
wā
time; place, space, area
ngenge
tired
whakaae
to agree
puta
to appear, to come out
pakipaki
to applaud, to clap; applause
ui
to ask, enquire
auau
to bark, howl
kaukau
to bathe
taea
to be able, to be achieved
āhei
to be able; to allow
wehi
to be afraid; terrible
tūpato
to be careful; caution, cautious
pae
to be cast ashore; to lay horizontally; horizon, ridge of hills; circumference
wātea
to be clear, unoccupied, free of obstruction
oti
to be completed
pau
to be consumed, used up completely, all gone
kapi
to be covered or occupied (of space)
kikī
to be crowded, confined, full, tight.
hemo
to be dead; to pass by, be gone
whakamā
to be embarrassed, ashamed
rangona
to be heard (passive form of rongo)
whara
to be injured
mahue
to be left behind
ngaro
to be lost, missing, gone
tika
to be right, correct, straight, in order
meatia
to be said; to be done
mate
to be sick, ill, dead
ōrite
to be the same as
tīmata
to begin, to start
whakapono
to believe; faith
ngau
to bite
pupuhi
to blow (of the wind); to shoot
puhi
to blow (wind)
kōhua
to boil; cooking pot
pupū
to boil; to bubble up, arise from
hanga
to build, erect, make
kā
to burn, be alight
wera
to burn; burnt; hot, heat
hoko
to buy, sell, barter, trade, exchange, purchase
karanga
to call
kawe
to carry, convey, take, bear
hari
to carry, take; to feel happy
whakairo
to carve, a carving
hopu
to catch
hī
to catch fish with a line
hao
to catch in a net, a net
tīni
to change
kōkiri
to charge, rush at
ngaungau
to chew, a snack
kake
to climb
eke
to climb up on
piki
to climb; to increase
whakapiri
to cling to, stick to
kohi
to collect, gather together
kohikohi
to collect, gather together
whakatata
to come closer to
whakahau
to command, order; to encourage
tutuki
to complete, to achieve
tao
to cook
tunu
to cook, roast
kaute
to count
taupoki
to cover, close with a lid; lid, cover
uhi
to cover, spread over; covering, tablecloth, cover; yam
whakawhiti
to cross
whiti
to cross
tangi
to cry; to mourn, lament; to make a sound, sound
poro
to cut off, to cut short
tapahi
to cut, chop, hack, cut up, operate, amputate
tinihanga
to deceive, cheat; to trick, amuse with trickery
whakatau
to decide
whakapaipai
to decorate, to adorn
whakaheke
to decrease, drop, lower
heke
to descend, go down; rafter
kōrerorero
to discuss
whakaatu
to display, show, demonstrate
whakaata
to display, show; mirror
whakaari
to display, to exhibit; play, drama, performance
whakaaturanga
to display; television programme
ruku
to dive
aha
to do what? what? treated in what fashion? to do anything
mahi
to do, work, make
tā
to draw, paint; to publish, print; to own
moemoeā
to dream; dream
inu
to drink
taraiwa
to drive; driver
tomo
to enter, go into
uru
to enter, to go into; west
kuhu
to enter, to go or come in
whakauru
to enter, to join, to enrol
whakangahau
to entertain, to amuse
whakatū
to establish, to put someone or something in position; to stand something up
whakamārama
to explain
pahū
to explode, burst; bomb; drum
aro
to face, turn towards
hinga
to fall from an upright position
taka
to fall, to fall off, to drop; to come around in a cycle
makere
to fall; to come off; to get down from
whāngai
to feed, to foster
tiki
to fetch, proceed to do (anything), go (for a purpose), go and get, come and get
whāwhā
to fiddle with, to touch
pakanga
to fight, battle, war, hostility
whawhai
to fight; a battle
whakakī
to fill something
tere
to flow, float, move quickly; fast
rere
to fly; to flow; to sail; to escape
whai
to follow, chase, pursue, look for, search for, court, woo, aim at
whai
to follow, to chase
wareware
to forget; forgetful
whiwhi
to get, to acquire, to win; to be in possession of
hoatu
to give (away from speaker)
hōmai
to give (to speaker)
whakatoi
to give cheek
mihi
to greet
tipu
to grow, develop; a plant, shoot
tupu
to grow, develop; a plant, shoot
ngunguru
to growl
putu
to heap up; a heap, pile
rongo
to hear, perceive
āwhina
to help
huna
to hide
tuki
to hit, to knock, to beat, to pound
pupuri
to hold onto
whakanui
to honour, to praise; to enlarge
tūmanako
to hope for, anticipate, expect
awhi
to hug, embrace
whakapai
to improve, to fix up
tohutohu
to instruct; to guide, direct; instructions, directions
tāpiri
to join something on, to add
hono
to join together
peke
to jump, to leap over
mōhio
to know
ū
to land, to reach land; to be firm, fixed; breast, udder
kata
to laugh
katakata
to laugh and laugh, laughter
whakatakoto
to lay something down
ārahi
to lead, guide
ako
to learn, to teach
waiho
to leave something somewhere; to remain, rest
takoto
to lie down
hiki
to lift up, raise; to carry in the arms, to nurse
whakarongo
to listen
wawata
to long for, yearn for
tirotiro
to look about, to investigate
tiaki
to look after, to care for
manaaki
to look after, to show hospitality towards
titiro
to look at
tiro
to look at, inspect, examine, observe, view
rapa
to look for
rapu
to look for
kimi
to look for, seek, search, hunt for
hara
to make a mistake; mistake
waihanga
to make, build something
ine
to measure
tātai
to measure, to calculate; to arrange, to set in order
tūtaki
to meet; to close up, to block
neke
to move
nuku
to move
nekeneke
to move gradually
huaki
to open, uncover, rise (of the moon), dawn; rush upon, charge, attack
whakamahi
to operate, to make something work; to put someone to work, to make someone work
hoe
to paddle, row
haka
to perform traditional dance; war dance
wero
to pierce; to challenge; formal challenge at a welcome ceremony
tākaro
to play
purei
to play / play
whakarite
to prepare; to arrange, to put in order; to compare, to adjust, organise
whakaputa
to produce; to reveal; to publish; to make something come out or appear
kukume
to pull, to drag
pana
to push away, to expel
puru
to put in, thrust in, plug up, block, thrust in, cram in, load (a gun); to be crammed, stuffed
whakamau
to put on; to fix, to fasten, to attach
ua
to rain; rain
whakatipu
to raise
tae
to reach, arrive
pānui
to read; to publish, advertise; notice, advertisement
whakatikatika
to rearrange, to put in order, to fix
taki
to recite, to recount; to lead, to bring along
tuku
to release, let go, give up, leave, resign, put off, descend, get off, let down, download (computer), set free, allow, send, pass, serve, bowl, to allow; to send; to let something down; to hand something down; to leave aside,
toe
to remain, be left over
maumahara
to remember / remember
whakautu
to reply, to respond
whakaora
to rescue, to cure
haruru
to resound; a heavy sound
whakangā
to rest
whakatā
to rest
whāki
to reveal, to disclose, to confess
whakahaere
to run something, manage, make something go
oma
to run, escape
kī
to say; to be full
kite
to see
kitea
to see, find, discover, detect
tono
to send, to command; to ask for, to request, to demand; to apply for, order, bid
wehe
to separate, divide
oreore
to shake, quiver
hokohoko
to shop, trade
umere
to shout (in wonder, in appreciation)
hāparangi
to shout, bawl
atawhai
to show kindness towards
haina
to sign (a letter, document)
puoro
to sing, to rumble
waiata
to sing; song
noho
to sit; to stay; to live
reti
to skate, slide
paki
to slap, to pat
moe
to sleep; to marry
maringi
to spill
tū
to stand; to be wounded; a wound
ohorere
to start suddenly, be startled
piri
to stick to, to cling
whakatika
to straighten, to correct, to fix
whakapakari
to strengthen
toro
to stretch out, to extend; to visit
patu
to strike, beat, thrash; to kill
tautoko
to support
kauhoe
to swim
tumeke
to take fright, surprise
whakaahua
to take photos; photograph
tango
to take up, take hold of, take off, take possession of, acquire
mau
to take, to bring; to be caught; to wear clothes
kōrero
to talk, speak
whakamātau
to test, examine
pōhēhē
to think mistakenly, be mistaken
whakaaro
to think; thought
whiu
to throw, to fling; to whip; to be satisfied
panga
to throw; puzzle, riddle
here
to tie, to bind
pā
to touch, to affect; term of address for father: E pā; a fortified settlement
whakamāori
to translate into Māori
wiriwiri
to tremble, to shake, to quiver
huri
to turn
tahuri
to turn around, to turn over; to capsize
hurihuri
to turn round and round, over and over
tatari
to wait
oho
to wake up
hīkoi
to walk; to step, tread
hāereere
to wander, roam
hiahia
to want
pīrangi
to want, desire
whakatūpato
to warn, to caution
horoi
to wash, to clean
mātaki
to watch
mātakitaki
to watch, to observe, examine, inspect
mīharo
to wonder at; amazing
tuhituhi
to write, draw
tuhi
to write, to draw; to indicate, point out, adorn, decorate
hāmama
to yell, shout; open, gaping
ki
to, at
ngātahi
together
āpōpō
tomorrow
niho
tooth
kaupapa
topic, theme
whakamuri
towards the back
mai
towards the speaker in space or in orientation
tāone
town
hāngi
traditional earth oven
pūrākau
traditional story
tira
travelling party; group or row of people
tiriti
treaty; street
rākau
tree; timber
ngāti
tribal name prefix
iwi
tribe
raruraru
trouble, be in difficulty, in trouble
raru
trouble; to be in difficulty, in trouble
tarau
trousers
taraka
truck
pono
true, faithful
māhanga
twin(s)
tokorua
two (of people)
rua
two; hole
momo
type, kind
raro
under
whakarunga
upwards
e
used before a verb to make a command; used before a name when addressing a person
a
used before names and pronouns
taputapu
utensil, tool; applicance; gear, equipment
ā
various meanings, e.g., and, and then; indicating future time, as in: Ā te pō nei
nā
various meanings, e.g., by, belonging to (ā category), by way of
mā
various meanings, e.g., by, for; plural marker, as in: I haere mai a Mere mā; white; clean
hei
various meanings, e.g., future preposition, at, in, with, for, to, as a
noa
various meanings, e.g., only, just, merely; denotes an absence of limitations or conditions
kei
various meanings, e.g., preposition, present time and place location - at, in; verbal particle, non-past time, as in: kei te haere
me
various meanings, e.g., with, like, should
nō
various meanings: from, of, belonging to (ō category)
ake
various uses and meanings, e.g., upwards, as in: piki ake, titiro ake; comparative as in: nui ake; own, as in: tōku whānau ake
kia
various uses, meanings. Often not translatable by an English word.
otaota
vegetation, herbs, grass, weeds
kua
verbal particle; indicating completed action or movement into a state
ai
verbal particle; used in, for example, relative clauses, adverbials
tino
very
tini
very many, numerous, plenty; multitude, throng
pakupaku
very small
rerenga
voyage; escape, running away
taihoa
wait
pakitara
wall
mahana
warm
wai
water; juice
ngaru
wave
mātou
we, us (three or more, excluding addressee)
māua
we, us (two people, excluding addressee)
mātau
we, us (variant of mātou); to know, to understand
tātou
we, us, inclusive (three or more people)
tāua
we, us, you and I, inclusive, dual
wiki
week
mākū
wet
tohorā
whale
hā
what!
wīra
wheel
hea
where?
whea
where? (variant of hea)
tēhea
which, singular
kōtuku
white heron
Wai?
who?
hau
wind, air, breath
matapihi
window
parirau
wing
wahine
woman, wife
wāhine
women, wives (plural form of wahine)
kupu
word
kaimahi
worker
ao
world, dawn, cloud
noke
worm
āwangawanga
worried
māharahara
worried, anxious
tukutuku
woven wall panels; spider web
kaituhi
writer, author
tuhinga
writing, text
tuhituhinga
writing, text
hē
wrong; error, mistake
kōwhai
yellow (colour)
āe
yes
koe
you (one person)
koutou
you, three or more people
kōrua
you, two people
punua
young animal
taitama
young man
teina
younger sibling, same sex
ō
your (one person); neutral category possession, plural
tō
your, neutral, one person, singular; ō category possessive determiner, singular; stove; to drag
tāu
your, one person, ā category, singular
āu
your, plural form of tāu, ā category possession.
tāhau
your, ā category possession, singular (variant of tāu)
tōu
your, ō category possession, singular
ōu
yours, one person, ō category possession, plural
rangatahi
youth
kore
zero, nothing