Filters

Idioms

Phrases

Proverbs

Loan words

Historical loan words

Filters

Idioms

Phrases

Proverbs

Loan words

Historical loan words

noa atu

1. long ago, long since, a long time ago - indicates that something took place quite some time ago or a long time prior to something else.

Kua mate noa atu ō mātou tūpuna. / Our grandparents died long ago.

Show example

Hide example

Synonyms: , tāukiuki, whāioio, neha, noa mai, aua atu (rā), noa ake


2. well before, well in advance, a long time prior - when noa atu follows mua it indicates that something happened a long time prior to some other event.

He kupu tawhito tonu anō a 'Māori', nō mua noa atu i te Pākehā nei (JPS 1894:30). / 'Māori' is quite an ancient word, from well before the Pākehā arrived.

Show example

Hide example


3. long after, well after, a long way away - when noa atu follows muri, or another word of time or place, it indicates that something happened a long time after some other event, or was some distance away.

Ka haria ngā papa me ngā haeana hei hanga whare karakia anō mōna ki Otamaoa. Ka whakatūria ki muri noa atu i tō mātau whare (EM 2002:55). / The timber and iron was taken to build another church for him at Otamaoa. It was erected a long way away from our house.
Kua whakahokia e koe te ingoa nei, me Māui ki muri noa atu o Wahieroa, o Whaitiri, i a Hāpai- ariki, i a Tupuaterangi. E Tuhi, e hē rawa ana tēnei. Ēnei tāngata kei muri noa atu o te waipuke (TTT 1/11/1929:1915). / You have placed this name with Māui long after Wahieroa, Whaitiri, Hāpai-ariki and Tupuate rangi. Tuhi, this is absolutely wrong. These people are long after the flood.

Show example

Hide example


4. much more - when following an adjective noa atu can indicate comparison.

Nō tētahi tangata nui noa atu tōu hāte. / Your shirt belongs to someone much bigger.

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