Filters

Idioms

Phrases

Proverbs

Loan words

Historical loan words

Filters

Idioms

Phrases

Proverbs

Loan words

Historical loan words

wai

1. (personal noun) who? whom?.

(Te Kākano Textbook (Ed. 2): 2-3, 30-31, 82-83;)

Nā wai tēnei pene? / Whose pen is this?

Show example

Hide example

See also tūpātai


2. (personal noun) what? (for people's names).

(Te Kākano Textbook (Ed. 2): 2-3;)

Ko wai tōna ingoa? / What's her name?

Show example

Hide example


3. (personal noun) who? - when asking for a person's second name.

Ko Hone wai? Ko Hone Kī. / John who? John Key.

Show example

Hide example


4. (personal noun) and others - used when the speaker cannot, or does not want to, give all names.

Ko Tiāre, ko Hōri, ko wai ake i roto i te tīma tuatahi. / There was Charlie, George and others in the first team.

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