Filters

Idioms

Phrases

Proverbs

Loan words

Historical loan words

Filters

Idioms

Phrases

Proverbs

Loan words

Historical loan words

tohoraha

1. (noun) whale, southern right whale, Eubalaena australis - a baleen whale with a large head and curved jaw found in temperate waters.

(Te Māhuri Textbook (Ed. 2): 2; Te Māhuri Audio Tapes/CDs (Ed. 2): Exercises 1-3;)

Ka karakia a Nukutawhiti ki te moana, kia mauria mai he tohoraha mō te kawanga o tōna whare (TWK 4:20). / Nukutawhiti chanted a ritual chant to the ocean to bring a whale for the ceremonial opening of his house.

Show example

Hide example

See also tohorā

tūtae tohoraha

1. (noun) ambergris - a strong-smelling waxlike secretion of the intestine of the sperm whale sometimes found floating in the sea or washed up on the shore. Used in the perfume industry.

See also mīmiha

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