Filters

Idioms

Phrases

Proverbs

Loan words

Historical loan words

Filters

Idioms

Phrases

Proverbs

Loan words

Historical loan words

kaumātua

1. (verb) (-tia) to grow old, grow up.

I te mea kua tino kaumātua rawa atu te Mohi Tūrei rāua ko Tamihana Huata, ka whakaarohia e te Hāhi me penihana rāua (TP 4/1907:4). / Because Mohi Tūrei and Tamihana Huata are very elderly, the church thinks that they should receive pensions.
Kua kaumātuatia a ia, ā, ko tōna kanohi kurehe e kitea atu ana i raro i ōna makawe mā (TWK 35:19). / He had become old and his wrinkled face could be seen under his white hair.

Show example

Hide example


2. (modifier) elderly, old, aged.

Ka puta mai he tangata kaumātua he hina te māhunga (THNT 21/5/1863:4). / An elderly man with grey hair appeared.

Show example

Hide example

Synonyms: tawhito, tuaukiuki, koroua, mātāpuputu, waikauere, korokoroua, pūkeko, tahito, tūpakeke, tūārangi, aweko, ahungarua


3. (noun) adult, elder, elderly man, elderly woman, old man - a person of status within the whānau.

I kite te kaumātua nei i te whakakaraunatanga o tētahi o āna tama hei kīngi mō Kirihi, ko tētahi he kāwana nō Kiriti (TP 2/1906:4). / This old man saw the crowning of one of his sons as King of Greece, and one son is Governor of Crete.

Show example

Hide example

Synonyms: pou, koroheke, tauheke, koroua, kokoro, tāua, nehe, korokoroua, ruānuku, pēperekōu, koeke

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