Filters

Idioms

Phrases

Proverbs

Loan words

Historical loan words

Filters

Idioms

Phrases

Proverbs

Loan words

Historical loan words

ko

1. (particle) A particle with no English equivalent used when talking about something specific and used before proper names, pronouns and common nouns preceded by a definitive.

(Te Kākano Textbook (Ed. 2): 3, 13, 43-44; Te Pihinga Textbook (Ed. 2): 64-65; Te Māhuri Textbook (Ed. 2): 135-136;)

Ko hea tērā tāone? / What's that town?

Show example

Hide example


2. (particle) to.

Whiti atu ko te motu i Mokoia (NM 1928:83). / Cross to the island of Mokoia.

Show example

Hide example


3. (particle) at.

Ko reira au tū ai, kia tae ake anō koe (W 1971:121). / I'll stop at that place until you actually arrive.

Show example

Hide example

See also ko hea

1. (determiner) your (one person) - when talking of one thing. A possessive determiner which must be followed by a noun, unlike tāu and tōu. This is the neutral or informal form and is not governed by the a and o categories.

(Te Kākano Textbook (Ed. 2): 52-56, 58; Te Kākano Study Guide (Ed. 1): 1;)

Utaina kōneke ki runga i te taraka. / Load your sledge onto the truck, please.

Show example

Hide example


2. (determiner) belonging to. Combines with the dual and plural personal pronouns.

(Te Kākano Textbook (Ed. 2): 52-56;)

Nō reira ka rapu ngā tamariki i tō rātou pāpā (JPS 1911:94). / And so, the children searched for their father.

Show example

Hide example


3. (determiner) has, have, own, owns (a possessive).

(Te Kākano Textbook (Ed. 2): 108-110;)

He motokā Hēni. / Jane owns a car.

Show example

Hide example

Synonyms: ā, , tipu, tupu, anō, ake, taketake


4. (determiner) that of, the one of, the ... of. Used as an alternative form for te ... o.

(Te Pihinga Textbook (Ed. 2): 126;)

Ko Ngāti Tīpā takiwā tēnei. / This is Ngāti Tīpā's territory.

Show example

Hide example


5. Used in the ways of 2 to 4 above when the possessor has, or had, no control of the relationship or is subordinate, passive or inferior to what is possessed.

(Te Kākano Textbook (Ed. 2): 54-56, 140-141;)

1. (loan) (noun) stove.

He mea whakarewa te haeana ki te hiko i ēnei rā, engari, i ngā wā o mua i whakarewangia i runga i te (Te Ara 2011). / An iron is heated with electricity these days, but in the past it was heated on the stove.

Show example

Hide example

1. (verb) to set (of the sun and heavenly bodies).

Kua te rā i a ia, kāore hoki e whiti mai ki muri nei (M 2006:124). / His sun has set, and it will not shine hereafter (M 2006:125).

Show example

Hide example

1. (verb) (-ia) to drag, haul, pull, open or shut (a sliding door or window).

Ka hopukina au, kātahi ka haeretia ki te awa (HP 1991:20). / I was caught and then dragged along to the stream.

Show example

Hide example


2. (verb) (-ia) to drag (computers) - move an item on the screen by touching the item on a screen and then sliding the finger across the screen or by pressing and holding down the left mouse button while moving the mouse.

Tōia ētahi tūemi ki konei (LP 2017). / Drag some items here.

Show example

Hide example


3. (verb) (-ia) to open or shut (a sliding door or window).

Tōia ake te tatau kia tuwhera (NM 1928:56). / Open the door, please.

Show example

Hide example


4. (noun) dragging, pulling.

Kāre tahi kā tākata o te kāika i mahara, ē he hoariri tēnei. Heoi, ka whanatu rātau ki te mau neke atu kia pai ai te mai i kā waka ki uta, me te whāwhai atu anō ō rātau ki te i kā waka ki uta (JPS 1901:89). / The people of the place had no idea that this was a hostile party, and therefore they proceeded to take down skids in order to facilitate hauling the canoes ashore, and hastened to assist in dragging them up.

Show example

Hide example


5. (noun) portage.

E kī ana te kōrero i tōia te waka mā te waka kei Tāmaki i mua i te haerenga ki Hokianga mā te takutai moana (Te Ara 2013). / It is said that the canoe was dragged across the Auckland isthmus via the canoe portage before travelling along the coast to Hokianga.

Show example

Hide example

Synonyms: tōanga waka

1. (verb) to be calm, tranquil, peaceful - generally used with marino.

Tēnā ko tēnei, he whenua rangatira te hanga, ana te marino puta noa i te motu (KO 16/5/1882:1). / Now this is a place in a state of peace, tranquility pervades the land.

Show example

Hide example

Synonyms: rangimārie, ukiuki, whakamārie, whakamāria, whakamārire, ngehe, āio, houkura, hūmārie, aumārire, mārie, mārire, hūmārire, whakaaio

1. (verb) (-ia,-kia,-ngia) to moisten, wet, anoint - usually only in one of the passive forms with this usage.

Ka tōkia tō kiri e te anu kōpata (M 2004:264). / Your skin is moistened by the cold dew.

Show example

Hide example

Synonyms: takawai, whakamākūkū

1. (verb) to tingle, vibrate - as in the phrase tō te taringa (ringing in the ears).

1. (noun) plant stem, stalk (of a plant).

Kei roto i te ngā pū tarapī hei kawe i te wai me ngā taiora mai i ngā pakiaka ki ngā rau (RP 2009:403). / The fine ducts in the plant stem are to transport water and nutrients from the roots to the leaves.

Show example

Hide example

tō koutou

1. (determiner) your, yours (referring to one thing and to three or more people) - often followed by a noun but can stand without one.

(Te Kākano Textbook (Ed. 2): 52-56;)

tō koutou hungarei koe e āwhina. / Your father-in-law will help you.

Show example

Hide example

See also


2. (determiner) you (several people) have (one thing).

(Te Kākano Textbook (Ed. 2): 108-110;)

He raruraru tō koutou, e hoa mā. / You have a problem, friends.

Show example

Hide example


3. Used in these ways listed above when the possessor has no control of the relationship or is subordinate, passive or inferior to what is possessed.

(Te Kākano Textbook (Ed. 2): 54-56, 140-141;)

tō rātou

1. (determiner) their (three or more people and referring to one thing) - often followed by a noun but can stand without one.

(Te Kākano Textbook (Ed. 2): 52-56;)

Kua huihui tō rātou iwi ki tō rātou marae. / Their tribal group has gathered on their marae.

Show example

Hide example

See also


2. (determiner) they have (referring to one thing belonging to three or more people).

(Te Kākano Textbook (Ed. 2): 108-110;)

He whakaaro tō rātou. / They have a plan.

Show example

Hide example


3. Used in these ways listed above when the possessor has no control of the relationship or is subordinate, passive or inferior to what is possessed.

(Te Kākano Textbook (Ed. 2): 54-56, 140-141;)

tō kōrua

1. (determiner) your, yours (referring to two people and one thing) - often followed by a noun but can stand without one.

(Te Kākano Textbook (Ed. 2): 52-56;)

Kei Whitianga tonu tō kōrua rangatira e noho ana. / Your chief is still living at Whitianga.

Show example

Hide example

See also


2. (determiner) you two have (one thing).

(Te Kākano Textbook (Ed. 2): 108-110;)

He tokanga tō kōrua. / You two have a picnic basket.

Show example

Hide example

Synonyms: tā kōrua


3. Used in these ways listed above when the possessor has no control of the relationship or is subordinate, passive or inferior to what is possessed.

(Te Kākano Textbook (Ed. 2): 54-56, 140-141;)

tō tāua

1. (determiner) our, i.e. your (one person) and my (referring to one thing) - often followed by a noun but can stand without one.

(Te Kākano Textbook (Ed. 2): 52-56;)

Kei te tatari tō tāua tumuaki ki a tāua. / Our Vice-Chancellor is waiting for us.

Show example

Hide example

See also

Synonyms: tā mātou, tō mātou, tā tātou, tō māua, tā māua, tō tātou, tā tāua


2. (determiner) we (you and I) have (referring to one thing).

(Te Kākano Textbook (Ed. 2): 108-110;)

He motokā tō tāua. / We have a car.

Show example

Hide example


3. Used in these ways listed above when the possessor has no control of the relationship or is subordinate, passive or inferior to what is possessed.

(Te Kākano Textbook (Ed. 2): 54-56, 140-141;)

tō rāua

1. (determiner) their (referring to two people and one thing) - often followed by a noun but can stand without one.

(Te Kākano Textbook (Ed. 2): 52-56;)

Kua pukuriri tō rāua matua. / Their father is angry.

Show example

Hide example

See also


2. (determiner) they have (referring to two people and one thing).

(Te Kākano Textbook (Ed. 2): 108-110;)

He whare whakapaipai tō rāua. / They have a beautiful house.

Show example

Hide example


3. Used in these ways listed above when the possessor has no control of the relationship or is subordinate, passive or inferior to what is possessed.

(Te Kākano Textbook (Ed. 2): 54-56, 140-141;)

tō mātou

1. (determiner) our, i.e. their and my (one thing) - often followed by a noun but can stand without one.

(Te Kākano Textbook (Ed. 2): 52-56;)

E whakatā ana tō mātou matua. / Our father is resting.

Show example

Hide example

See also

Synonyms: tā mātou, tā tātou, tō māua, tā māua, tō tāua, tō tātou, tā tāua


2. (determiner) we (they and I) have (referring to one thing).

(Te Kākano Textbook (Ed. 2): 108-110;)

He whare hou tō mātou. / They and I have a new building.

Show example

Hide example


3. Used in these ways listed above when the possessor has no control of the relationship or is subordinate, passive or inferior to what is possessed.

(Te Kākano Textbook (Ed. 2): 54-56, 140-141;)

tō tātou

1. (determiner) our, i.e. yours (more than one) and my (referring to one thing) - often followed by a noun but can stand without one.

(Te Kākano Textbook (Ed. 2): 52-56;)

E purei haupōro ana tō tātou matua i te rā nei. / Our father is playing golf today.

Show example

Hide example

See also

Synonyms: tā mātou, tō mātou, tā tātou, tō māua, tā māua, tō tāua, tā tāua


2. (determiner) we (you and I) have (referring to one thing).

(Te Kākano Textbook (Ed. 2): 108-110;)

He whare whakairo tō tātou. / We have a carved meeting house.

Show example

Hide example


3. Used in these ways listed above when the possessor has no control of the relationship or is subordinate, passive or inferior to what is possessed.

(Te Kākano Textbook (Ed. 2): 54-56, 140-141;)

tō tenetene

1. up yours! stuff you! get stuffed! - a curse that is used to show disdain for the actions or statements of others. Usually said to a woman.

Ka haramai te wahine, te hunaonga a te tūpāpaku ka kī mai ki a māua, “Kāore he pae, engari mēnā kei te pīrangi mihi koe, e mihi.” I tērā tonu, ka whakaaro au ki a au anō, tō tenetene! Ērā kōrero katoa kei roto i a au, nā reira kāore māua i mihi (Kāretu 2015). / The woman, a daughter-in-law of the deceased came over and said to us, "There are no speakers, but if you want to speak, go ahead." With that I thought to myself, up yours! All those sayings were in me, and so we didn't speak.

Show example

Hide example

tō māua

1. (determiner) our, i.e. his/her and my (one thing) - often followed by a noun but can stand without one.

(Te Kākano Textbook (Ed. 2): 52-56;)

I kōrero tō māua tīpuna mō Māui. / Our grandfather spoke about Māui.

Show example

Hide example

See also

Synonyms: tā mātou, tō mātou, tā tātou, tā māua, tō tāua, tō tātou, tā tāua


2. (determiner) we (he/she and I) have (one thing).

(Te Kākano Textbook (Ed. 2): 108-110;)

He whare wānanga ātaahua tō māua. / She and I have a beautiful university.

Show example

Hide example


3. Used in these ways listed above when the possessor has no control of the relationship or is subordinate, passive or inferior to what is possessed.

(Te Kākano Textbook (Ed. 2): 54-56, 140-141;)

[tō] meho!

1. stuff [you]! - a curse that is used to show disdain and disagreement for the actions or statements of others.

Rangi: Kāore a Huri i pai ki ō kōrero. Pare: Tana meho (HKK 1999:95). / Huri does not like what you said. Pare: He can jump in the lake.

Show example

Hide example

[tō] tara!

1. a curse that is used to show disdain for the actions or statements of others, implying that they would be advised not to comment. Only said to, or about, a woman.

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