New Zealand Travel Guide: Maori Phrasebook. Useful Maori Words and Phrases.

It is inevitable that you will encounter words and phrases that are different from your native tongue or even the English language when you travel to another country. Variations, even in English, exist. In New Zealand, the English is spoken with a distinct twang, which is slightly different than the English spoken by the British, although New Zealand is still a member of the British Commonwealth. The original language of the natives of New Zealand is Maori, and now it is the second official language of this country. It almost disappeared and English became dominant but for the past thirty years there has been a resurgence in interest and use of the Maori language and changes are being made.

Maori is an indigenous language that will help you to better understand their culture and way of life. It is for your benefit if you can learn a few basic Maori words and phrases as you tour New Zealand, to help you communicate with and understand some of the names of places and things, particularly when you tour Rotorua, which is the center of Maori culture in New Zealand.

When you are visiting a country for the first time one of the things you should know something about is the language, as it is your means of communication. If you are staying for a longer time in a new country, it will be better if you enroll in a language class first before your trip. If you are just going on vacation for a week or two, a phrase book will suffice to help you ask for help and directions, order food and greet people. If you are going to be there on business, it will be of great help if you can have some of your business documents translated into the local language other than English. A professional translation company will be of great assistance to you in this case. If you need interpreters, then a professional interpretation service company may be necessary. Therefore it is to your great advantage to work with a professional translation and interpretation company when conducting business in a country where English is not the major or is a secondary language.

This travel guide that we offer is an indispensable tool to help you in your travel. You can use it as a handy tool when traveling to other countries because we have included many useful information regarding your country of destination. The New Zealand Travel Guide is composed of several sections that provide you with accurate and concise information about New Zealand, including safety tips and information on some of the most notable tourist attractions in this wonderfully unique country, as well as interesting facts on things that are endemic to New Zealand. The New Zealand Travel Guide also includes a short list of Maori words and phrases that will help you familiarize yourself with the country’s second official language. Discover some Maori words and learn how to speak them, even if you only remember how to say hello, goodbye, please or thank you. It can be very personally enriching as you simultaneously get to know more about New Zealand as well as learn its indigenous language.

Useful Maori Words and Phrases

Basic Greetings

English
Welcome
Hello
Kia ora rā kōrua (two persons)
Kia ora koutou (three or more persons)
Tēnā koe (formal for single person)
Tēnā kōrua (formal for two persons)
Tēnā koutou (formal for three or more persons)
How are you?
I am fine, thanks. And you?
Long time no see.
What’s your name?
My name is …
Where are you from?
I am from…
Good morning.
Good afternoon/evening
Good night
Goodbye
E haere rā (this is said by the person staying)
Good luck
Cheers/Good health!
Have a nice day
Bon appetit
Bon voyage
I don’t understand
Please speak more slowly
Please say that again
Please write it down
Do you speak Māori?
Yes, a little
How do you say … in Māori?
Excuse me/Sorry
How much is this?
Sorry
Thank you
Where’s the toilet?
Would you like to dance with me?
Yes
No
I love you
Get well soon
Leave me alone!
Help!
Fire!
Stop!
Be careful!
Be quiet!
Call the police!
Merry Christmas
and a Happy New Year
Happy Easter
Happy Birthday
One language is never enough

Maori
Haere mai/Nau mai
Kia ora (single person)





Kei te pēhea koe?
Kei te pai.
He roa te wā kua kitea.
Ko wai tōu ingoa?
Ko … ahau
Nō hea koe?
Nō … ahau.
Kia ora/Ata mārie/Mōrena
Kia ora
Pō mārie
E noho rā (if you are the one leaving)
Hei kona rā (informal)
Kia waimarie
Mauri ora! Kia ora!
Kia pai tō rā
Kia mākona
Kia pai te haere
Kaore au e mārama / Aroha mai
(Tēnā koa = please, can be omitted) āta kōrero
(Tēnā koa = please, can be omitted) kōrero mai anō
Tuhia (koa)
He reo Māori tōu?
Āe, he iti
He aha te kupu Māori mō …?
Arohaina mai
He aha te utu?
Arohaina mai / Mō Taku Hē
Kia ora (is generally accepted)
Kei hea te wharepaku?
Ka Pīrangi koe ki te kanikani tahi tāua?
Ae
Kaore
Kei te aroha au ki a koe
Kia piki te ora
Haere atu!
Āwhina!
Ahi!
Kāti!
Kia Tūpato!
Turituri!
Waea atu ki te Pirihimana!
Meri Kirihimete me ngā mihi o te tau hou ki a
koutou katoa
Ngā mihi o te Aranga
Rā Whānau ki a Koe!
Kore rawa e rawaka te reo kotahi

Forms of Ceremony

Traditional pressing of noses
Tribal greeting place
Formal welcome ceremony
Meeting/gathering
Prayer/blessing
Chat/talk/speech
Song/lament/chant
Posture Dance

Hongi
Marae
Powhiri/Pohiri
Hui
Karakia
Korero
Waiata
Haka

Food

Earth oven
Food
Traditional Maori bread
Food from the sea
Freshwater crayfish
Wild green leafy vegetable

Hangi
Kai
Rewena
Kaimoana
Koura
Puha

People

Tribe
Visitor/guest
Male or female elder
Boss/leader/chief
People of the land
Extended family
Flax Skirt
Canoe
Cloak
House/building/hut

Iwi
Manuhiri
Kaumatua
Rangatira
Tangata whenua
Whanua
Piupiu
Waka
Kakahu
Whare

Geographic Names

Cave
River/channel
Big
Small
Stream
Mountain
Sea/ lake
Island
Beach/sand/soil
Rock
Hill
Sky/heavens
Long
Lake
Two
Tide / Sea
Sacred
Rock
Water
Bay / Harbor

Ana
Awa
Nui
Iti
Manga
Maunga
Moana
Motu
One
Kohatu
Puke
Rangi
Roa
Roto
Rua
Tai
Tapu
Toka
Wai
Whanga

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