Learning a new language can often be an exciting adventure, and when it comes to Maori, understanding numerical expressions is a fundamental part of this journey. Maori, the indigenous language of New Zealand, uses numbers not only to count but also to express quantities, dates, times, and frequencies. This article will guide you through the basics and complexities of using numbers in Maori, providing a deeper insight into how they are integrated into everyday communication.

Understanding Basic Numbers

In Maori, numbers from one to ten are unique words that you must memorize as they form the foundation for larger numbers. Here they are:

– Tahi (one)
– Rua (two)
– Toru (three)
– Whā (four)
– Rima (five)
– Ono (six)
– Whitu (seven)
– Waru (eight)
– Iwa (nine)
– Tekau (ten)

Once you are familiar with these, you can construct larger numbers by combining these words.

Forming Numbers Beyond Ten

Numbers beyond ten in Maori are formed by combining the word for ten (tekau) with other numbers. For instance:

– Tekau mā tahi (eleven) – ‘tekau’ (ten) plus ‘mā’ (and) plus ‘tahi’ (one).
– Tekau mā rua (twelve) – similar structure as above.

This pattern continues up to nineteen. For multiples of ten, such as twenty, thirty, etc., you combine ‘tekau’ with the smaller numbers, preceded by ‘ma’:

– Rua tekau (twenty) – ‘rua’ (two) plus ‘tekau’ (ten).
– Toru tekau (thirty) – ‘toru’ (three) plus ‘tekau’ (ten).

For numbers like twenty-one, twenty-two, etc., you would say:

– Rua tekau mā tahi (twenty-one).
– Rua tekau mā rua (twenty-two).

Counting Objects

When counting objects, you must also consider the class of the noun being counted. In Maori, this involves using different counting words based on whether the objects are animate or inanimate. For example:

Tokorua ngā tāngata (two people) – ‘tokorua’ is used for counting people.
Toru ngā rākau (three trees) – ‘toru’ is used here for inanimate objects like trees.

Using Numbers in Time Expressions

Time telling in Maori also uses numerical expressions. Hours are usually told by stating the hour followed by the minute, similar to English:

Toru karaka (three o’clock) – ‘toru’ (three) and ‘karaka’ (o’clock).
For half-past an hour, you would use ‘haurua’ after stating the hour:

Rua karaka haurua (half past two).

Dates and Years

Dates are expressed similarly to time, with the day first followed by the month. Years are spoken as individual numbers:

Te tekau mā tahi o ngā rā o Hakihea, rua mano tekau mā toru (The eleventh of December, 2013).

Mathematical Expressions

Basic mathematical operations also use numbers:

Tahi tāpiri rua ka toru (one plus two equals three).
For subtraction, multiplication, and division, words such as ‘tango’ (subtract), ‘whakarea’ (multiply), and ‘wehe’ (divide) are used:

Rima tango rua ka toru (five minus two equals three).
Ono whakarea rua ka tekau mā rua (six times two equals twelve).

Understanding and using numerical expressions in Maori enhances not only your vocabulary but also your ability to engage in more complex conversations. Whether discussing prices, quantities, or time, these expressions are invaluable. As you continue to explore the Maori language, keep practicing these numbers and their uses. The more you practice, the more naturally they will come when conversing in Maori.