Filters

Idioms

Phrases

Proverbs

Loan words

Historical loan words

Filters

Idioms

Phrases

Proverbs

Loan words

Historical loan words

kōwhai

1. (adjective) be yellow (in colour).

Ko ngā kākahu mō ngā wāhine, he kārerarera, arā he kākāriki; ko ngā mea mō ngā tāne he kōwhai te tohu (KO 15/10/1883:5). / The clothes for the women were pale green; the ones for the men were yellow.

Show example

Hide example


2. (noun) kōwhai of various species including Sophora microphylla, Sophora tetraptera and prostrate kōwhai, Sophora prostrata - small-leaved native trees common along riverbanks and forest margins and noted for their hanging clusters of large yellow flowers in early spring.

Ka tino purotu te puāwai o te rākau, arā, o te kōwhai, o te hutukawa, o te rātā, o te heketara, o te rangiora (TTT 1/4/1929:972). / The flowers of the trees were quite beautiful, that is of the kōwhai, the pōhutukawa, the rātā, the tree daisy and the rangiora.

Show example

Hide example

See also kōhai

Synonyms: kōhai

mate kōwhai

1. (noun) jaundice.

Synonyms: huhunu

humenga kōwhai

1. (noun) olive beadlet anemone - found in mid to low tide in pools and moist crevices.

hau kōwhai

1. (noun) fluorine.

kōwhai ngutu kākā

1. (noun) kākā beak, Clianthus maximus - a many-branched, spreading shrub with clusters of large, bright scarlet flowers. Larger plant than Clianthus puniceus and has glossy leaflets. Now rare in the wild.

New favourites & quiz!

The Te Aka Māori Dictionary mobile app now has the ability to sort your favourite words into folders. Plus, these folders can be turned into a quiz for a fun way to learn words and definitions. Download or update the app today!

iOS Android

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