Understanding Māori Numbers: The Foundation of Telling Time

Before diving into time expressions, a solid grasp of Māori numbers is essential, as telling time relies heavily on numerical vocabulary.

Basic Māori Numbers 1 to 10

• Tahi – 1
• Rua – 2
• Toru – 3
• Whā – 4
• Rima – 5
• Ono – 6
• Whitu – 7
• Waru – 8
• Iwa – 9
• Tekau – 10

Numbers Beyond Ten

Numbers from 11 to 19 are formed by combining tekau (10) and the basic numbers:

• 11 – tekau mā tahi (10 and 1)
• 12 – tekau mā rua (10 and 2)
• 13 – tekau mā toru (10 and 3)
• … and so forth up to 19.

For multiples of ten, such as 20, 30, 40, the pattern is:

• 20 – rua tekau (2 x 10)
• 30 – toru tekau (3 x 10)
• 40 – whā tekau (4 x 10)

This numerical system is the key to expressing hours and minutes accurately.

Key Vocabulary for Telling Time in Māori

Besides numbers, several essential words and phrases are used when discussing time.

• Hāora – Hour
• Meneti – Minute
• Hēkona – Second
• Te wā – The time
• Āpōpō – Tomorrow
• Ināianei – Now
• Aroā – About / approximately
• Kua – Already (used for past tense)
• Kei te – Present continuous tense marker (used for “is/are + verb-ing”)

How to Say the Hour in Māori

Expressing the hour is straightforward once you know the numbers and the word hāora. The most common way to say the hour is:

Kei te [number] te hāora.

Which translates as “It is [number] o’clock.”

Examples

• Kei te tahi te hāora. – It is one o’clock.
• Kei te whā te hāora. – It is four o’clock.
• Kei te tekau mā whā te hāora. – It is fourteen o’clock (2 PM).

Note that Māori often uses the 24-hour clock for formal or written contexts, particularly for times beyond 12 noon.

Expressing Minutes in Māori

When adding minutes to the hour, the structure typically follows:

Kei te [hour] hāora me te [minutes] meneti.

Meaning “It is [hour] hours and [minutes] minutes.”

Examples

• Kei te rua hāora me te rima meneti. – It is 2:05.
• Kei te whitu hāora me te tekau mā rua meneti. – It is 7:12.
• Kei te tekau mā whā hāora me te rua tekau meneti. – It is 14:20 (2:20 PM).

In spoken Māori, it’s common to shorten this by omitting me te:

Kei te [hour] hāora [minutes] meneti.

Talking About Half and Quarter Hours

To make telling time more natural and conversational, Māori uses specific phrases for quarter and half hours:

• Hāwhe – Half (30 minutes)
• Kotahi hauwhā – One quarter (15 minutes)
• E rua hauwhā – Two quarters (30 minutes, synonymous with hāwhe)

Examples

• Kei te rua hāora me te hāwhe. – It is 2:30.
• Kei te whā hāora me te kotahi hauwhā. – It is 4:15.
• Kei te rima hāora me te toru hauwhā. – It is 5:45.

Note: Sometimes, the phrase hauwhā ki te (quarter to) or hauwhā mai i te (quarter past) are used to indicate time relative to the hour:

• Hauwhā ki te rima – Quarter to five (4:45)
• Hauwhā mai i te whā – Quarter past four (4:15)

AM and PM in Māori Time-Telling

Unlike English, Māori does not traditionally use AM and PM but rather specifies the time of day using contextual phrases:

• Te ata – Morning
• Te ahiahi – Afternoon / evening
• Te pō – Night
• Te awatea – Daytime

For example:

• Kei te whā hāora i te ata. – It is 4 o’clock in the morning.
• Kei te rua hāora i te ahiahi. – It is 2 o’clock in the afternoon.

Asking and Answering the Time in Māori

Knowing how to inquire about the time and respond appropriately is crucial for practical communication.

Common Questions

• He aha te wā? – What time is it?
• Kei te aha te hāora? – What hour is it?
• Kei te aha te wā? – What is the time?

Sample Responses

• Kei te toru hāora. – It is three o’clock.
• Kei te rima hāora me te rua tekau meneti. – It is 5:20.
• Kua tekau mā whā hāora i te ahiahi. – It is 2 PM (14:00) in the afternoon.

Cultural Context: Māori Perceptions of Time

Understanding how time is perceived culturally is just as important as the linguistic aspects. Māori traditionally have a more fluid concept of time compared to Western notions, focusing on natural cycles and events rather than rigid clocks. Time is often seen relationally—connected to the environment, community activities, and significant occasions.

This cultural nuance means that while formal time-telling in Māori is precise, everyday Māori communication may emphasize approximate times and contextual markers rather than exact minutes.

Tips for Learning to Tell Time in Māori Using Talkpal

For learners eager to master telling time in Māori, Talkpal offers interactive lessons, pronunciation guides, and real-time practice with native speakers, making the learning process dynamic and culturally immersive.

• Engage with native speakers: Practice asking and telling time in real conversations.
• Use audio lessons: Improve pronunciation and listening skills.
• Practice numbers daily: Reinforce your understanding of Māori numerals.
• Learn time-related vocabulary: Incorporate phrases like hāora, meneti, and hāwhe into your vocabulary.
• Immerse yourself in context: Use Māori media and cultural resources to see how time is expressed naturally.

Conclusion

Telling time in the Māori language involves mastering numbers, key vocabulary, and understanding cultural nuances that shape how time is expressed and perceived. By learning the fundamental structures—such as how to say hours, minutes, and phrases for half and quarter hours—you can communicate time effectively in Te Reo Māori. Embracing the cultural context enriches your language skills and fosters a deeper connection to Māori heritage. With resources like Talkpal, language learners have accessible, interactive tools to practice and perfect their time-telling skills in Māori, making the journey both effective and enjoyable.