moemiti
1. (verb) (-hia,-tia) to praise, commend, extol, acclaim.
Kei te moemiti au nei ki ngā mahi katoa o te māramatanga nei (TH 1/5/1861:4). / I am praising all the work involved in this explanation.
Synonyms: whakamanahau, whakakorōria, whakamoemiti, whakamihi, whakapai
2. (noun) praise, admiration, acclaim, commendation.
Ka nui te moemiti atu o te ngākau ki ēnei tū mahi e kitea ana i roto i ngā Māori (TWMNT 1/11/1871:7) / There is plenty of praise for these types of activities which are being observed amongst the Māori.
Synonyms: whakamanahau, whakamihi, whakapai
whakamihi
1. (verb) (-a,-ngia,-tia) to praise, pay tribute to, congratulate, eulogise, greet, thank, commend, acclaim, compliment, acknowledge.
He wā anō whakamahia ai tēnei hei whakamihi i tētahi āhuatanga (HHK 1999:15). / At other times this is used to commend a particular quality.
Synonyms: mihi, tūtohu, whakamanahau, moemiti, whakapai, whakakorōria, whakamoemiti
2. (modifier) praising, congratulatory, lauding, acclaiming, thanking, acknowledging, greeting.
He kōrero whakamihi tēnei i te whakaaro e whakatakotoria ana e te tangata, ahakoa iti, ahakoa pēhea rānei (HKK 1999:31). / This is a saying that praises the idea that is being put forward by someone, no matter how small or of what its nature is.
Synonyms: aumihi
3. (noun) tribute, congratulations, greeting.
Ko te kupu tuatahi o te rīpoata he whakamihi ki te kaha o Rēweti T. Kōhere ki te whakahaere i te pepa, me i kore ana ia kua mate noa atu (TP 9/1907:4). / The first statement of the report is a tribute to Rēweti T. Kōhere for his energy in managing the newspaper. If it were not for him it would have ceased long ago.
whakamoemiti
1. (verb) (-tia) to praise, express thanks.
Kei te whakamoemiti atu te manu meroiti nei ki ētahi o ana kaitautoko e whiu mai nei i ngā hua kāramuramu hei oranga mōna kia kaha ai tana korokī i runga i tōna pae (KO 15/5/1885:4). / This small bird is thanking some of its sponsers who have tossed some karamū berries as sustenance so that its call on its perch will be loud.
Synonyms: whakamanahau, moemiti, whakakorōria, whakamihi, whakapai
2. (modifier) thanksgiving.
Kātahi ka whakahaua e Te Kooti kia patua he poaka, he heihei hei hākari whakamoemiti mō tō rātau taenga pai mai ki te wā kāinga (TTR 1990:218). / Te Kooti then ordered a pig and a fowl be killed as a thanksgiving feast for their safe arrival home.
3. (noun) praise, thanks.
Mahue tana whakamoemiti ki a rātou, ngākau matekiri kē ana a Mahuta i te kore mana o ana tūranga (TTR 1996:88). / Far from feeling grateful to them, Mahuta was disillusioned about the lack of status of his role.
whakamanahau
1. (verb) to praise, acclaim, extol, admire.
Whakamanahau ana ngā kaiwānanga o te tākaro whutupaoro ki te tino pai o tōna amaru, me tōna pai anō ki te tataha, ki te pārai, ki te karo, me tana tino mōhio kē nei āhea rawa tukua atu ai e ia te pōro (TTR 2000:196). / Rugby critics praised his perfect poise, and his skill at swerving, fending and sidestepping, and his superb knowledge of when to pass the ball.
Synonyms: moemiti, whakamihi, whakapai, whakakorōria, whakamoemiti
2. (noun) accolade.
Tēnei te tuku i ngā whakamanahau ki ngā kaiako reo Māori kua ū ki te kaupapa. / This is sending accolades to Māori language teachers who have stuck to the task.
whakapai
1. (verb) (-a,-hia,-ngia,-tia) to make good, set in order, prepare.
I te mea ka mōhiotia ngō pō e puta ai a Whānui ka whakapaia ngā rua, ka rere a Whānui ka tīmata te hauhake i ngā kai (TWMNT 11/9/1872:110). / Because the nights when the star Vega appeared were known, the storage pits were prepared and when Vega rose the harvesting of the crops began.
Synonyms: tātai, whakareri, whakatau, whakatikatika, whakatakatū, takatū, whakatakataka, whakatika, pātā, whakataka, rāwekeweke, tītakataka, raweke, rahurahu, whakaute, takataka
2. (verb) (-a,-hia,-ngia,-tia) to make better, improve, revise, bless, set (a table).
I tino whakamihi a Te Taute ki a Ngāti Porou mō tō rātou kaha ki te whakapai i ō rātou whenua, ki te whakatupu hipi, mō te papai o ā rātou teihana hipi, o ā rātou wūruheti (TP 12/1907:11). / Mr Stout gave great praise to Ngāti Porou for their energy in improving their land, raising sheep and for the good state of their sheep stations and woolsheds.
Synonyms: whakahou
3. (verb) (-a,-ngia,-tia) to approve of, praise, compliment, acclaim, agree with.
E whakapai mai ana hoki te taha Kīngi Māori ki te pai o te whakahaere o tēnei Kāwanatanga ki te motu nei (TWMNT 7/2/1872:44). / And the Māori King side approves of this Government's administration of this country.
4. (modifier) commending.
E tīmata ana anō rānei mātou te whakapai ki a mātou anō? e pērā ana rānei me ētahi atu, e mea ana mātou ki ētahi pukapuka whakapai mā mātou ki a koutou, mā koutou rānei ki a mātou? (PT 2Koroniti 3:1). / Do we begin again to commend ourselves? or need we, as some others, epistles of commendation to you, or letters of commendation from you?
5. (noun) praise, approval, compliment, acclaim.
I roto i tētahi nūpepa i Ākarana, i pai rawa ana tuhituhinga i mua atu nei, i puta nui te whakapai o te tini ki taua nūpepa, i nāianei kua huri, kua huri kōaro tōna koti, ā, kua āhua hauwarea noa iho (KA 1/1/1861:11). / In an Auckland newspaper his writings used to be of quality and many praised that newspaper, but now it has changed, it's the reverse and is quite inconsequential.
Synonyms: whakamanahau, moemiti, whakamihi, whakakorōria, whakamoemiti
6. (noun) preparation, improvement, reform.
Ko te aronga ake o tēnei rōpū ko te whakapai ake i ngā ture papori, hauora hoki mā roto mai i te Whare Paremata (Te Ara 2014). / The focus of this organisation was the improving the social and health laws in the New Zealand Parliament.
Synonyms: whakahoutanga, whakahouhou, whakatakataka, whakatika, whakatakanga, whakatakatū, whakatikatika, whakareri
7. (noun) support, endorsement.
Ko tēnā mahi he tautoko tonu i te maungārongo, nā konei ka nui tōku whakapai atu ki a ia mō tēnā (KO 17/5/1886:7). / That action advocates peace, and so I strongly support him on that.
whakakorōria
1. (loan) (verb) (-tia) to glorify, honour, praise, venerate, exalt.
Ko Ihowa tōku kaha, taku waiata, ko ia anō hoki hei whakaora mōku: ko tōku Atua tēnei, ā māku ia e whakakorōria (PT Ekoruhe 15:2). / The Lord is my strength and song, and he has become my salvation; He is my God, and I will praise Him.
Synonyms: whakamanahau, moemiti, whakamoemiti, whakamihi, whakapai
2. (loan) (modifier) glorious.
Ka kite au i ngā mea whakakorōria i konei, i ngā whare karakia tiketike (TKP 18/10/1858:3). / I saw glorious things here, the towering churches.
3. (loan) (noun) glorification, glory.
Nā ahakoa kai koutou, ahakoa inu, aha rānei, meinga katoatia hei whakakorōria mō te Atua (TJ 26/10/1899:15). / So, whatever you eat or drink, it is all done as glory to God.
koia kei a [koe]
1. good on you, get you, you're the bomb, you're awesome, it's good that ..., no flies on you, good for you - an idiom supporting and praising someone's efforts but can also be used to criticise what someone has said or done, implying that it will come back to bite them.
(Te Kōhure Textbook (Ed. 2): 77;)
Koia kei a Hare e patipati nei kia whakapikihia tana utu. / Harry is pretty smart trying to get a pay rise.
2. what a cheek - an idiom to criticise what someone has said or done indicating that at some time in the future it will come back to bite her.
Koia kei a Iriata e inoi nei kia whakapikihia tana utu ā-hāora mai i te tekau tāra ki te rua tekau tāra (HKK 1999:85). / What a cheek Iriata has in asking for her hourly rate to be raised from ten dollars to twenty dollars.
koia, koia
1. well, well! you don't say! really! indeed! well done! that explains it - an idiom that sometimes is used to praise someone's work, idea or achievement, but it can also sometimes be a little scathing or scornful.
(Te Kōhure Textbook (Ed. 2): 43;)
Koia, koia! He aha te hē o konei mō tō tāua tēneti? / You don't say! What's wrong with here for our tent?
Koia, koia. Māu rawa te kī mai ki a au me ako au ki te tunu kai. Ko tō oati mai ki a au i a tāua i mārena ai, māu rawa tērā mahi (HKK 1999:85). / Well, well. You can actually say to me that I must learn to cook. Your promise to me when we were married was that you would do that job.
Hai aha atu māna ngā mahi a ērā rā, ko tāna kē he aro ki āna mahi kia tika i a ia. Koia, koia! / He shouldn't bother about what anyone else is doing, all he needs to do is concentrate on getting his work right. Isn't that right!
Synonyms: kē, tinana, koa, katoa, rawa, i neki, inā, tonu, ata, rā anō, rā pea, rānō, mārie, mārika, mārire, ia rā, tino
me/mai/mei kore ake ...
1. in case ... may, were fortunate, to see whether, if it were not for, thanks to, it's just as well - an idiom praising the importance of someone's or something's contribution.
(Te Pihinga Textbook (Ed. 2): 126-127;)
Me kore ake koe hei whakaako mai i a mātou. / We were fortunate to have you to teach us.
See also me kore ake, mei kore ake, me i kore, mai kore ake, me kore e
2. just like - this idiom can also be used to comment on the similarity of one person's talent to that of someone else.
Ira a Tarati e haka ana. Me kore ake te whaea. / Look at Dorothy performing. She's just like her mother.
Synonyms: anō, me kore ake, mai kore ake, mei kore ake, tonu, rite tonu
tōna [pai] nei
1. so so, not too bad, quite good, OK I guess, somewhat, sort of - an idiom used to give qualified praise. Also used to indicate qualified agreement with someone else's statement.
(Te Kākano Textbook (Ed. 2): 140-141;)
I pēhea tāu hararei? Tōna pai nei. / How was your holiday? It was OK.
Tau: Kei te wera tō kawhe? Ira: Mmm tōna wera nei (HJ 2012:41). / Tau: Is your coffee hot? Ira: Mmm it's OK I guess.
me kore ake
1. in case...may, were fortunate, to see whether, if it were not for, thanks to, it's just as well - an idiom praising the importance of someone's or something's contribution.
He hui pai - i tutū te puehu, i whiua te kōrero, i tau te rangimārie i te mutunga iho. Me kore ake nei te hui Mâori, nē hā? (HM 4/1995:3). / It was a good gathering - there were arguments and accusations made but in the end peace prevailed. It's just as well Māori gatherings are like that, isn't it?
Me mihi rā ki ngā kapa o ngā tāone me kore ake hoki rātou i pēnei rawa ai te pukahu o ngā kapa tū ki Te Matatini. / We must acknowledge the urban groups without whom there would not be as many groups performing at Te Matatini.
See also mei kore ake, mai kore ake
2. just like, similar to, the epitome of - sometimes used to indicate that someone's qualities are similar to those of someone else, or something else.
I kite au i a koe e pūkanakana ana. Me kore ake tō tipuna i a koe (HKK 1999:180). / I saw you doing the pūkana. You are the epitome of your ancestor.
Titiro ki tērā tangata e kai ana, me kore ake te poaka. / Look at that man over there eating just like a pig.
See also mei kore ake, mai kore ake
Synonyms: anō, me/mai/mei kore ake ..., mai kore ake, mei kore ake, tonu, rite tonu, āhukahuka, kāhukahuka
mei kore ake
1. in case...may, were fortunate, to see whether, if it were not for, thanks to, it's just as well - an idiom praising the importance of someone's or something's contribution.
Mei kore ake koe hei tohutohu i a mātou. / We are fortunate to have you to advise us.
See also me kore ake, mai kore ake
2. just like, similar to, the epitome of - sometimes used to indicate that someone's qualities are similar to those of someone else.
See also me kore ake, mai kore ake
Synonyms: āhukahuka, kāhukahuka, me/mai/mei kore ake ..., mai kore ake, anō, rite tonu, tonu, me kore ake
kei runga noa atu [koe]
1. [you're] top-notch! [you're] great! [you're] too much! [you're] outstanding! [you're] on to it! [you're] the bomb! - an idiom praising someone for his/her outstanding work.
(Te Kōhure Textbook (Ed. 2): 196;)
Kei runga noa atu rāua ki te poapoa i ngā tāngata ki te whakauru mai ki Te Wānanga Aronui o Tāmaki Makau Rau. / They're so good at enticing people to enrol in the Auckland University of Technology.
te kino kē hoki
1. excellent, really skilled, masterful, first-rate, top-notch, outstanding, superb, exceptional - an idiom to express praise for someone, an action or some other aspect. Both or either te and hoki may be omitted, while te may be replaced by ka or he.
(Te Kōhure Textbook (Ed. 2): 77;)
Te kino kē hoki o te tangata rā ki te whakaangi manu aute (HKK 1999:27). / That man is excellent at flying kites.
Kino kē kōrua, e hoa mā! / You two are good alright, my friends!
Ka kino kē hoki te tāhae rā ki te purei tēnehi. / That fellow is top-notch at playing tennis.
He kino kē te kuia rā ki te whatu kākahu. / That elderly lady is first-rate at weaving cloaks.
Synonyms: kaiaka, ka mahi ..., taiea, taumata rau, tapatapahi ana, kōhure, whakaharahara, ahurei, kātuarehe
ka mahi ...
1. well done, great, outstanding - an idiom used to praise, but may also express sarcasm. Not commonly used in modern Māori but appears in a number of whakataukī.
Ka mahi te take pakiranga (HKK 1999:52). / Well done, shallow rooting tree. (A whakataukī used for a person who gives in easily or is easily discouraged.)
Synonyms: taiea, taumata rau, tapatapahi ana, kōhure, whakaharahara, ahurei, kātuarehe, te kino kē hoki
auahi ana
1. how fast it travelled! how good was that! - an expression to praise the speed of something or to compliment some action or achievement.
Whewheo ana te haere a Piri i tana kutarere hou. Auahi ana! (HJ 2012:276). / Piri whizzed along on his new scooter. How quickly he travelled!
He mihi nā te hui katoa mō te pai me te kaha me te matareka o te atawhai o te pāriha o Te Kawakawa i te hui. Auahi ana te nui o te manaaki (TP 10/1910:10). / The whole gathering praised how good, pleasant and generous it was of the Kawakawa parish to hold the meeting. The hospitality was outstanding.
ka mutu koe
1. you're the one, you're marvellous, you're neat all right, you're awesome, you're too much - an idiom to praise someone or their work.
Tio: Kotahi rau paiheneti taku māka mō taku whakamātautau pāngarau, e Mā. Whaea: Ka mutu koe! / Joe: My mark for my maths exam was a hundred percent, Mum. Mother: You're neat all right!
