Try out these kīwaha (idioms and colloquialisms).
Āe mārika
This is a popular Māori idiom used to express strong agreement, similar to saying 'Yes indeed!', 'Absolutely!', or 'Most definitely! in English.
The word ‘mārika’ is used after adjectives to intensify, to emphasise the description:
| Māori | English |
|---|---|
| Te pai mārika o tā koutou mahi.– | You’ve done a really good job |
| Te kakama mārika o te tamaiti autaia rā. | That boy is really switched on! |
| Hone: I mahara ahau e whakaoti ana i tō taumahi? | I thought you were completing your work? |
| Awa: Kua oti kē! | I’ve already done it! |
| Hone: Tō tere mārika! | Geez you’re quick! |
Koia kei a koe!
A well-known idiom used to express both support and admiration towards someone for their astute thinking or their actions that benefit the whole. "You’ve got what it takes!", “You’ve got the ‘X’ factor!”
Hone:
Kua uru te kapahaka o Ngā Haumi ki te Ao ki te whakataetae ā-Motu!
The kapahaka group Haumi ki te Ao have entered the National competition!
Awa:
Ka rawe! Koia kei a rātou!
Brilliant! They’ve got the goods!
Kei runga noa atu!
This saying is another one to congratulate someone for their effort or the work they put into some activity to benefit the whole. Depending on the context, it can mean:
- Outstanding!
- Absolutely amazing!
- Next level!
- Top notch!
- Excellent!
- That's awesome!
Hone:
I pēhea tō whakaaturanga i te hui i tēnei rā?
How did your presentation go today?
Awa:
I pai noa iho pea.
It was okay, I guess.
Hone:
Kāo, e hoa! I mīharo katoa te rōpū. Kei runga noa atu!
No way! Everyone was impressed. It was next level!
Ko te painga atu!
This kīwaha expresses the idea of achieving something or doing something that is beneficial to people. This expression reflects the thought of that would be excellent if it happened.
Hone:
He pai mēnā ka haramai a Iri i tō tāua taha?
Is it ok if Iri comes with us?
Awa:
E hoa, ko te painga atu tēnā!
Mate, that would be great!
Ko te painga atu mēnā ka riro mā te tohunga pērā i a Iri e ārahi te kaupapa!
It would be great if an expert like Liz led the project!
Kāore i tua atu i a koe mō te _________!
This idiom/colloquialism is also used to acknowledge someone and their abilities or skillset.
| Māori | English |
|---|---|
| Kāore i tua atu i a koe mō te kōrero. | Nobody explains it better thanyou. |
| Kāore i tua atu i a koe mō te waiata. | Nobody sings better than you. |
| Kāore i tua atu i a koe mō te tunu kai. | Nobody cooks like you do. |
| Kāore i tua atu i a koe mō te oma. | Nobody runs better than you. |
Hone:
Nā wai i toa te oma 10 kiromita i tēnei ata?
Awa:
Nā Hana. Kua toa anō ia i tēnei tau.
Hone:
Kāore tonu au i te ohorere. Kāore i tua atu i a ia mō te oma!
More kīwaha in te reo Māori and English
| Te reo Māori | English |
|---|---|
| Kei whea mai (koe)! | That’s amazing! (You’re amazing!) |
| Kei tawhiti koe e hoa | You are just out there, outstanding, unmatched |
| E mea ana koe! | You’re telling me! |
| E mea ana koe? | You reckon? |
| Ko koe te tangata! | You’re the bomb! |