kai-
1. Prefix added to verbs which express some kind of action to form nouns denoting a human agent (i.e. the person doing the action), e.g. kaikōrero (speaker), kaitiaki (guardian, trustee), kaimahi (worker), kaihoko (seller), kaituhi (writer) and kaitito haka (haka composer). This prefix cannot be used with verbs the meaning of which indicates a state, not an activity, e.g. moe and tū. In other words, only transitive verbs can take the prefix kai-. There are exceptions to this rule, notably kainoho (inhabitant). Some of the words created by this use of kai- are listed in this dictionary, but the list is not exhaustive.
(Te Pihinga Textbook (Ed. 2): 48-49;)
See also kaihoe, porokaihākere
2. (verb) (-nga,-ngia) to drink - used for any liquid other than water.
Ka rīria a Hōne e Apirana he kaha nōna ki te kai waipiro (TTR 1998:184). / John was reprimanded by Apirana because he drank alcohol to excess.
3. (noun) food, meal.
(Te Kākano Textbook (Ed. 2): 33-34; Te Māhuri Textbook (Ed. 2): 35-49;)
He nui te kai: te parāoa, te huka, te tī, te pīkara, te tōhi, te pīwhi, te poaka, me te tini o ngā kai (KO 15/12/1886:8). / There was plenty of food: bread, sugar, tea, pickles, toast, beef, pork, and much more.
See also hari kai
kai
1. (verb) to fulfil its proper function, have full play, have full effect.
E whiti, e te rā, e kai ki taku kiri (W 1971:86). / Shine, o sun, have full effect upon my skin.
E kore e mau i a koe he wae kai pakiaka (W 1971:86). / You will not catch feet used to running among tree roots. (A whakataukī stressing the value of experience for success.)
kai
1. (noun) riddle, puzzle, toy.
Synonyms: panga, whakapōkaikaha, pere
2. (noun) recidivist.
wāhi kai
1. (noun) café, restaurant, eating out, cafeteria.
I te tau 2008, e mea ana te kaunihera, e 350 te maha o ngā pakihi tāpoi Māori ki Aotearoa nei. 37 ōrau ō ēnei he haerenga, 15 ōrau he noho, 15 ōrau he toi Māori, 12 ōrau he whakamīharotanga, 11 ōrau he toa hokohoko, 7 ōrau he wāhi kai, 5 ōrau he haerenga mā runga waka, 5 ōrau he haka me te hāngī, 1 ōrau he noho marae (Te Ara 2013). / In 2008 the council noted that there were more than 350 Māori tourism businesses operating in New Zealand. Of these, 37% were guided tours, 15% were accommodation, 15% were arts and crafts, 12% were attractions, 11% were retail, 7% were eating out, 5% were transport, 5% were concerts and hāngī, and 1% were marae stays (Te Ara 2013).
Synonyms: wharekai
