koa
1. (particle) please - implies entreaty and is used with requests to soften them and to make them more polite.
(Te Kākano Textbook (Ed. 2): 63, 111;)
Homai koa te miraka. / Pass the milk, please.
E hoa, kau mai koa ki konei nā (NM 1928:101). / My friend, swim over here, please.
See also tēnā koa, me aha koa, hei aha koa, nei koa
Synonyms: tēnā koa, whakawaireka
2. (particle) indeed, in fact, really - used to intensify and add emphasis.
3. (particle) but, however,on the other hand, despite that.
I māmingahia e ngā kaihokohoko, riro ana ngā whenua hei utu i ngā nama. Ehara koa, i ū tonu tana tautoko i te Pākehā (TTR 1990:285). / They were tricked by the traders and the lands were taken to pay the debts. despite that, his support of the Pākehā continued.
Synonyms: kāpā, otiia, manohi, engari, erangi, ia, tēnā, engaringari, tēnā ko tēnei
koa
1. (verb) (-ia,-ina) to be glad, joyful, happy, elated.
Ka koa hoki au i taku kitenga kei te ora tonu taku māmā (HP 1991:60). / And I was happy when I saw that my mother was still well.
Synonyms: koakoa, manahau, matakuikui, whakakoakoa, tūrangahakoa, harikoa, hurō, harakoa, whakamanamana, takaahuareka
2. (noun) happiness, joy, elation, euphoria, gladness, delight, joyfulness.
Kua kitea te wati. Ka whakahokia e au ki te tangata nāna te taonga nei. He tino nui kē hoki tōna koa (HP 1991:220). / The watch had been found. When I returned this property to the person it belonged to, he was extremely happy.
See also koanga, hari, harikoa
Synonyms: koakoa, whāwhāpū, manahau, manamanahau, koanga, tūrangahakoa, hari, harikoa, hurō, harakoakoa, whakamanamana, takaahuareka
ina koa
1. in particular, for instance, particularly, specifically - an idiomatic phrase.
Ina koa, i te marama o Noema 1911 ko ia anō e tono ana ki te kōti, ki te pīra i te mana whakahautanga o 1869 (TTR 1996:118). / For instance, in November 1911 he applied once more to the court, to appeal the 1869 order.
Synonyms: inarā
nei koa
1. the fact was - used to introduce explanatory sentences.
Nei koa kua whakamōhio atu te kōtiro i tana matua. / The fact was the girl had told her father.
See also nei
tēnā koa
1. let me see it, let me see now, well then, now then, very well then, please - placed at the beginning of a request.
Tēnā koa neke mai ki konei. / Move over here, please
Tēnā koa, kia kite ahau. / Well then, let me see.
Synonyms: koa, whakawaireka, nā, tēnā, tēnā ina
hei aha koa
1. nevertheless.
Hei aha koa, he mea nui ki te tangata whenua ōna kaha i whakapaua e ia, me tana whaiaro (TTR 1996:144). / Nevertheless, his efforts and personality were appreciated by the local people.
Synonyms: anō, me aha koa, ahakoa, he ahakoa, hei aha (koa/noa iho), aua atu (rā)
2. never mind, don't take any notice, don't bother, it doesn't matter, don't worry.
Ka mea mai tō mātau Haihana-Meiha, "Hai aha koa. Kāore e taea te pēhea, e Hēmi." (HP 1991:137). / Our Sergeant-Major said, "Don't worry. Nothing could be done, Hēmi."
See also hei aha!, hei aha (koa/noa iho), koa
Synonyms: kia ahatia, hai aha!, aua atu (rā)
me aha koa
1. be that as it may, nevertheless, what for? what does it matter? so what? anyway, no matter.
Ka kī ētahi he mea uaua tonu te ako i te reo Māori. Me aha koa. He aha te hē o te whakamātau? / Some say it's very difficult to learn Māori. Be that as it may, what's wrong with trying?
Synonyms: anō, ahakoa, hei aha koa, he ahakoa, hei aha (koa/noa iho), aua atu (rā)
inā
1. (interjection) here! see here! how ...! - used to point out something or the reason for something and is often followed by hoki or rā.
(Te Kākano Textbook (Ed. 2): 119;)
Inā ōu mōhiti! / Here are your glasses!
Inā te nui o ā tātou kai! / What a lot of food we have!
E kore e tipu he paku aha i reira, inā te makariri. / Nothing will grow there because it's too cold.
Kua mōhio pea te ao, inā hoki i pānuitia ki te pouaka whakaata i te pō rā. / The whole world probably already knows, as it was broadcast on TV last night.
He tau pai mō te mahi māra, inā rā e kī ana ngā rua i te kai. / It was obviously a good season for the garden, as the food stores are full.
2. (particle) so, really, how - used to emphasise a quality of something.
3. (particle) When inā is used to emphasise statements about quality, the addition of nā, rā, ia and koa strengthens the meaning. These are usually written as one word.
Nāna i whakahauhau ngā toi whakarākai, inarā, ko ngā mahi whakairo me te tukutuku (TTR 1996:107). / He encouraged the decorative arts, especially carving and tukutuku work.
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, nā and rā, 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;)
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.
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.
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.
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.
7. (particle) Used before koa and rā 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
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?"
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.
Synonyms: haere ake nei, mau ake nei, āke, ake, ake
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, kē, 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, nā, rā 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.
Synonyms: riterite, ka mutu tonu te/tā ...
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 mā.
(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.
Mā tāu rourou, mā 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.
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 ka tū ai. / 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?
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?
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.
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?
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?
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.
See also kia kore ai ... e ..., kia ... ai
9. (particle) why?, that - the negative tē 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 tē and ai.
He aha kōrua tē haere tahi mai ai? / Why didn't you two come together?
Nā te pāngia o Hare e te mate tē tae mai ai ia ki te hui (HJ 2012:192). / Because Harry went down sick, he didn't make the meeting.
See also tē ai he ...
10. (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.
