Filters

Idioms

Phrases

Proverbs

Loan words

Historical loan words

Filters

Idioms

Phrases

Proverbs

Loan words

Historical loan words

katoa

1. (modifier) all, every, totally, wholly, completely, without exception - used to indicate that something is all-encompassing, all-consuming or all-conquering. Sometimes used after a verb, often preceding the noun it qualifies. Where katoa follows a verb in the passive it will take a passive ending also, usually -tia. In this situation the passive ending may be dropped from the verb, but not from katoa.

(Te Pihinga Textbook (Ed. 2): 91-92;)

Ka whakatika katoa ngā tāngata ki te kimi wahie. / All the men set about looking for firewood.
Ahakoa he waiata Māori nō nehe rā anō, he waiata nō nāianei rānei, i taea katoatia e ia te tito (TTR 1998:2). / No matter whether it was traditional or contemporary Māori songs, she could compose them all.

Show example

Hide example


2. (modifier) very, utterly, seriously, really, totally - acts as an intensifier, particularly when following adverbs or experience verbs.

I mōhio katoa au ka pēnā mai koe! (HJ 2015:85). / I really knew that you would do that!

Show example

Hide example

Synonyms: kau, koia, koia, tinana, koa, rawa, i neki, inā, tonu, ata, , rā pea, rānō, mārie, mārika, mārire, ia rā, tino, rā anō


3. (modifier) (adjective) -est.

Ko te aroha tē taea te whakatutuki, koia te aroha roa katoa, kaha katoa, mamae katoa anō hoki (HJ 2015:86). / Unrequited love, that's the longest, strongest and most painful love of all.

Show example

Hide example


4. (adjective) all, every - katoa may also begin a sentence or phrase.

Katoa ngā āhuatanga o te whakamāori e whakaakona ana (H 1992:19). / All aspects of translation are being taught.

Show example

Hide example


5. (noun) whole, all.

Nō muri i te inumanga tī o te ahiahi ka whakatōpūtia te katoa o ngā rōpū, ā, ka tū ia kaikōrero ki te whakaputa i ngā whakaaro o tōna anō rōpū (H 1992:12). / After afternoon tea all of the groups were assembled together and each speaker stood up to express the views of her own group.

Show example

Hide example


6. (noun) everybody.

Kauaka taua tamaiti e whakaaetia kia tauera i tōna kanohi ki te tauera o te katoa (TTT 1/11/1927:686). / That child should not be allowed to dry his face with the towel used by everybody.

Show example

Hide example


7. (noun) everything.

Ko tētahi mea e mīharo nei te ngākau ki ngā mahi kātahi anō nei e whakaputaina ai, ko te mea kua oti noa atu i a Tā Apirana te katoa o ngā whakaputunga mō 'Ngā Mōteatea' (M 2007:viii). / One thing that is amazing about the work that has just been published is that Sir Apirana completed everything for the collections for 'Ngā Mōteatea'.

Show example

Hide example

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