tino
1. (modifier) importance, main, best, top, principal, pre-eminent, favourite, staple, real, true, absolute - when used before a noun to indicate something is unrivalled or is true or genuine.
(Te Kōhure Textbook (Ed. 2): 48-49;)
Koia nei te tino kai a taua iwi. / This is the staple food of that people.
Wairākau: Ko te tino tikanga o tēnei kupu mō ngā mea kei te whakamōmona i te whenua kia kaha ai te tipu o te kai (RK 1994:168). / Wairākau: The true use of this word is for things that are enriching the land so that crops grow strongly.
Synonyms: pekepoho, aporei, timuaki, tumuaki, tupu, tinana, tipu, ake, tūturu
2. (modifier) very, quite, exact, true, really - when used before an adjective or verb to show a high degree or absoluteness.
(Te Kōhure Textbook (Ed. 2): 48-49;)
3. (noun) main, important, value, significance, essence, essential, quintessence, soul, substance - when used as a noun.
Synonyms: matū, wairua, aporei, matua, whakaihiihi, waitohu, hiranga, whakahirahiratanga, hirahira, māramatanga
4. (interjection) I totally agree, yes indeed, agreed, positively - used to show strong agreement with a statement.
Te reka kē o te tītī nei! Tino! / This mutton bird is really tasty! Yes, indeed!
