Filters

Idioms

Phrases

Proverbs

Loan words

Historical loan words

Filters

Idioms

Phrases

Proverbs

Loan words

Historical loan words

tau

1. (noun) string (of a garment, etc.), loop or thong (of a patu).

Kātahi te tama ka whakatika, ka whakawiria iho te tau o te patu ki te ringa (NM 1928:395). / Then the boy rose up and twisted the string handle of the short weapon around his hand.

Show example

Hide example

Synonyms: koromeke, kono, koropewapewa, koru, koropewa, pōkuru


2. (noun) tie, fastening, string, cord (of a bag, etc.).

I whaohia ā rāua kupu ki roto i taua pūtea, nō te paunga ki roto kātahi ka kumea te tau, kātahi ka rōpine mai ā rāua kupu ki te tangere o te pūtea, ka takoto i konā mō āke tonu atu (TPH 30/3/1901:3). / Their words were placed in that bag and once inside the tie was pulled and then their words were close together in the bottom of the bag where they lie forever.

Show example

Hide example

Te Kākano 3rd Edition

New edition of the leading Māori-language textbook out now.

More info

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