Basic Verbs
1. **Aroha** – To love
– Example: “Ka aroha au ki a koe.” (I love you.)
2. **Kōrero** – To speak
– Example: “Ka kōrero māori ahau.” (I speak Māori.)
3. **Kai** – To eat
– Example: “Kei te kai ahau i te āporo.” (I am eating an apple.)
4. **Haere** – To go
– Example: “Haere mai ki te kāinga.” (Come home.)
5. **Mahi** – To work
– Example: “Kei te mahi ahau.” (I am working.)
6. **Whakarongo** – To listen
– Example: “Whakarongo mai ki ahau.” (Listen to me.)
7. **Pānui** – To read
– Example: “Ka pānui ahau i te pukapuka.” (I will read the book.)
8. **Titiro** – To look
– Example: “Titiro ki te rangi.” (Look at the sky.)
Nouns
9. **Whānau** – Family
– Example: “He nui taku whānau.” (My family is large.)
10. **Wā** – Time
– Example: “He aha te wā?” (What is the time?)
11. **Pukapuka** – Book
– Example: “Kei te pānui ahau i te pukapuka.” (I am reading the book.)
12. **Kai** – Food
– Example: “He pai te kai?” (Is the food good?)
13. **Tamariki** – Children
– Example: “Kei te kura ngā tamariki.” (The children are at school.)
14. **Kura** – School
– Example: “Ka haere ngā tamariki ki te kura.” (The children go to school.)
15. **Waka** – Canoe/Vehicle
– Example: “He waka tere tēnei.” (This is a fast vehicle.)
16. **Marae** – Meeting ground
– Example: “Kei te marae te hui.” (The meeting is at the marae.)
Adjectives
17. **Nui** – Large
– Example: “He whare nui tēnei.” (This is a large house.)
18. **Iti** – Small
– Example: “He ngeru iti.” (A small cat.)
19. **Hou** – New
– Example: “He pukapuka hou tāku.” (I have a new book.)
20. **Tawhito** – Old
– Example: “He waka tawhito.” (An old vehicle.)
21. **Pārekareka** – Pleasant/Enjoyable
– Example: “He pārekareka te rā.” (The day is pleasant.)
22. **Tino** – Very
– Example: “He tino pai.” (Very good.)
23. **Kaha** – Strong
– Example: “He tangata kaha.” (A strong person.)
24. **Māori** – Indigenous/New Zealand native
– Example: “Ko te reo Māori te reo rangatira.” (The Māori language is a noble language.)
Adverbs
25. **Anāianei** – Now
– Example: “Kei te haere ahau anāianei.” (I am going now.)
26. **Āpōpō** – Tomorrow
– Example: “Ka kite ahau āpōpō.” (See you tomorrow.)
27. **Ināianei** – Currently/At present
– Example: “Kei te kāinga ahau ināianei.” (I am at home currently.)
28. **Inanahi** – Yesterday
– Example: “I haere ahau ki te toa inanahi.” (I went to the store yesterday.)
29. **Tonu** – Still
– Example: “Kei te kai tonu ahau.” (I am still eating.)
30. **Tere** – Quickly
– Example: “Haere tere!” (Go quickly!)
Pronouns
31. **Ahau** – I/Me
– Example: “Kei te pai ahau.” (I am fine.)
32. **Koe** – You
– Example: “Kei te pēhea koe?” (How are you?)
33. **Ia** – He/She/It
– Example: “Kei te haere ia.” (He/She is going.)
34. **Mātou** – We (excluding the listener)
– Example: “Kei te haere mātou ki te marae.” (We are going to the marae.)
35. **Koutou** – You (plural)
– Example: “Kei hea koutou?” (Where are you all?)
36. **Rātou** – They/Them
– Example: “Kei te mahi rātou.” (They are working.)
Conjunctions and Prepositions
37. **Ā** – And (used for joining sentences)
– Example: “Kei te kai ahau ā kei te pānui hoki.” (I am eating and reading.)
38. **Me** – With/And (used for joining nouns)
– Example: “Kai me te inu.” (Food and drink.)
39. **Ki** – To/At/For
– Example: “Haere ki te kura.” (Go to school.)
40. **I** – In/At/On (past tense)
– Example: “I te marae ahau.” (I was at the marae.)
41. **Mā** – For
– Example: “He pukapuka māu.” (A book for you.)
42. **Nā** – By (indicating past action)
– Example: “Nā te kaiako i whakaako.” (It was taught by the teacher.)
Common Phrases
43. **Tēnā koe** – Hello (to one person)
– Example: “Tēnā koe, e hoa.” (Hello, friend.)
44. **Tēnā koutou** – Hello (to multiple people)
– Example: “Tēnā koutou katoa.” (Hello, everyone.)
45. **Kei te pēhea koe?** – How are you?
– Example: “Kei te pēhea koe i tēnei rā?” (How are you today?)
46. **Haere rā** – Goodbye (said by the person staying)
– Example: “Haere rā e hoa.” (Goodbye, friend.)
47. **E noho rā** – Goodbye (said by the person leaving)
– Example: “E noho rā, whānau.” (Goodbye, family.)
48. **Kia ora** – Thank you/Hello
– Example: “Kia ora mō te āwhina.” (Thank you for the help.)
49. **Aroha mai** – Sorry
– Example: “Aroha mai mō taku hē.” (Sorry for my mistake.)
50. **Ka pai** – Good/Well done
– Example: “Ka pai tō mahi.” (Well done on your work.)
Conclusion
Mastering these 50 essential words will significantly bolster your Māori vocabulary and enhance your ability to communicate effectively at a B2 level. By incorporating these words into your daily practice, you will find that your understanding and appreciation of the Māori language and culture will deepen. Remember that language learning is a journey, and every step you take brings you closer to fluency. Kia kaha, kia maia, kia manawanui! (Be strong, be brave, be steadfast!)
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