Filters

Idioms

Phrases

Proverbs

Loan words

Historical loan words

Filters

Idioms

Phrases

Proverbs

Loan words

Historical loan words

kanohi kitea

1. (verb) to have a physical presence, be seen, represent.

Kāti rā, nō te tau 1926 i pōtitia ia ki te kaunihera ā-rohe o Te Wairoa, hei kanohi mō te takiwā o Waiau. I aua rā, kāore e kanohi kitea ana te Māori i ēnei momo rōpū (TTR 1998:12). / Well, in 1926 he was elected to the Wairoa County Council to represent the Waiau Riding. In those days Māori were not represented in these types of organisations.

Show example

Hide example


2. (noun) seen face, physical presence - a term to express the importance of meeting people face to face, and to also be a face that is known to and seen within a community and at important gatherings, such as tangihanga.

He tamaiti pai, he kanohi kitea i ngā tangihanga me ngā huihui (EM 2002:60). / He was a good boy, a face seen at tangihanga and gatherings.

Show example

Hide example


3. (noun) raid, incursion - applied to a chief who raids the lands of another tribe. His face is seen where he has no business to be, at least in arms.

Ka ea te kanohi kitea o Taihakoa ki roto o Ruatāhuna (JPS 1902:132). / Taihakoa's incursion into Ruatāhuna was avenged.

Show example

Hide example

Synonyms: marau, pāhua, pāhuahua, whakaekeeke, tukinga, huaki

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