Looking for practical NKo to Maori phrases? This free guide lists 100 essential sentences for travel, study, work, and everyday conversation. Each line shows the NKo phrase first, then the Maori translation (Maori) — so you can scan quickly before a trip, class, or video call.
The phrases are grouped into eight topics: greetings and pleasantries, useful phrases for travellers, everyday conversation, directions and getting around, shopping and dining, emergencies and health, work and business, and time, days and numbers. Use the table of contents to jump straight to greetings, directions, dining, emergencies, or numbers. You do not need perfect grammar to start — short, clear sentences often work better than silence when you are learning Maori.
Tip: when a Maori phrase looks unfamiliar, compare it with the NKo wording — noticing word order differences helps you understand grammar naturally.
Bookmark this page for offline review, share it with a travel buddy, or open the NKo to Maori translator to paste your own messages and get an instant translation.
Greetings and pleasantries
Hello, goodbye, please, thank you, and polite introductions for meeting new people.
ᎣᏍᏆ
Kia ora(Oscha)
ᎠᏍᏆᏙᏗ
Ngā mihi(Ascadodi)
ᎣᏍᏆ ᎡᏚᏙᏗ
Ata mārie(Oscha Edodhi)
ᎣᏍᏆ ᎠᏧᏍᏆᏗ
Pō mārie(Oscha Atsachadi)
ᎣᏍᏆ ᏓᎦᏚᏗ
Pō nui(Oscha Dagadudi)
ᎣᏍᏆ ᏓᏥᏍᏆ
Nō reira(Oscha Datsicha)
ᎣᏍᏆ ᏓᎦᏙᏗ
Ka kite anō(Oscha Dagadodi)
ᎣᏍᏆ ᏓᏁᏙᏗ
Haere rā(Oscha Danodi)
ᎯᏍᏆ ᎠᏍᏆᏙᏗ ᎢᏳᏍᏆ?
Ko wai tō ingoa?(Hisch Ascadodi Iyuscha?)
ᎠᏓ ᎠᏍᏆᏙᏗ ᎠᏍᏆ ᏥᏍᏆ
Ko John tōku ingoa(Ada Ascadodi Ascha Tischa)
ᎯᏍᏆ ᎯᏍᏆ?
Kei te pēhea koe?(Hisch Hisch?)
ᎠᏍᏆᏙᏗ ᏓᏥᏍᏆ
He pai ki te tūtaki i a koe(Ascadodi Tischa)
Useful phrases for travellers
Airport, hotel, tickets, and transport phrases for getting around on a trip.
ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߡߊ߬ߟߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬?
Ka korero koe i te reo Ingarihi?(kah korero koe ee teh reh-oh ingarihi)
ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߡߊ߬ߟߊ߬ ߗߊ߬ߓߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬
Kaore au e korero pai i te reo Hīndi(kaore ow ee kah-raw pai ee teh reh-oh hindee)
ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߡߊ߬ߟߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߓߊ߬
Kaore au e mohio(kaore ow ee moh-ee-oh)
ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ ߗߊ߬ߓߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬
Tena koa korero āta(teh-nah koh-ah kah-raw-oh ah-tah)
ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬?
Ka taea e koe te korero ano?(kah tah-eh eh koh-eh teh kah-raw-oh ah-no)
ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬?
Kei hea te wharepaku?(kay he-ah teh fah-reh-pah-koo)
ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬?
Me pehea au e tae ki te pokapū o te tāone?(meh peh-heh-ah ow eh tie keh teh poh-kah-poo oh teh tah-oh-neh)
ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬
Huri ki mauī(hoo-ree kee mow-ee)
ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬
Huri ki te taha matau(hoo-ree kee teh tah-hah mah-tow)
ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬
Haere tika(high-reh tee-kah)
ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬?
E hia te utu?(eh hee-ah teh oo-too)
ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬
Kotahi te tikiti, please(koh-tah-hee teh tee-kee-tee)
ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬?
Kei tawhiti mai i konei?(kay tah-whee-tee my ee koh-nay)
ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬
Kua ngaro au(koo-ah nah-roh ow)
ߊ߲߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߕߊ߬?
Kei hea e taea ai e au te hoko kāri SIM?(kay he-ah eh tah-eh ah-ee eh ow teh hoh-koh kah-ree sim)
Everyday conversation
Small talk, feelings, opinions, and common chat phrases for daily life.
𞤈𞤢𞤣𞤢
Āe
𞤈𞤢𞤣
Kāo
𞤈𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤈𞤢𞤣𞤢
Tērā pea
𞤉𞤢 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢𞤲𞤢
Kei te whakaae au
𞤉𞤢 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢𞤲𞤢 𞤈𞤢𞤣
Kāore au e whakaae
𞤈𞤢𞤣 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤈𞤢𞤣
He pai tēnā
𞤈𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤈𞤢𞤣
He aha tāu e whakaaro ana?
𞤈𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤉𞤢𞤣𞤢
Ka taea e koe te awhina i au?
𞤉𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢
Kei te hiahia au i te awhina
𞤈𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤈𞤢𞤣
Tēnā tūrua
𞤉𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢
Aroha mai
𞤈𞤢𞤣 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢
Kāore he raru
𞤈𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢
Ngā mihi
𞤈𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢
Hari huritau
𞤈𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢 𞤕𞤢𞤣𞤢
Kia pai te haerenga
Directions and getting around
Asking where something is, left and right, distances, and finding your way.
ߓߍ߬ߓߊ߬ ߓߍ߬ ߛߌ߬ߟߊ߬ߙߌ߬
Kei hea te teihana tereina?(Kei hea te teihana tereina?)
ߓߍ߬ߓߊ߬ ߓߍ߬ ߛߌ߬ߟߊ߬ߙߌ߬ ߓߌ߬ߜߌ߬
Kei hea te pooti?(Kei hea te pooti?)
ߓߍ߬ߓߊ߬ ߛߌ߬ߟߊ߬ߙߌ߬ ߓߌ߬ߜߌ߬
Ko wai te papa?(Ko wai te papa?)
ߓߍ߬ߓߊ߬ ߛߌ߬ߟߊ߬ߙߌ߬ ߓߌ߬ߜߌ߬
He aha te wa e wehe ai?(He aha te wa e wehe ai?)
ߓߍ߬ߓߊ߬ ߓߌ߬ߜߌ߬ ߓߍ߬ ߞߌ߬ߟߌ߬
Kei te tika tēnei ara?(Kei te tika tēnei ara?)
ߓߍ߬ߓߊ߬ ߓߌ߬ߜߌ߬ ߓߍ߬ ߞߌ߬ߟߌ߬
Kei konei tata mai(Kei konei tata mai)
ߓߍ߬ߓߊ߬ ߓߌ߬ߜߌ߬ ߓߍ߬ ߞߌ߬ߟߌ߬
Kei tawhiti mai i konei(Kei tawhiti mai i konei)
ߓߍ߬ߓߊ߬ ߓߌ߬ߜߌ߬ ߓߍ߬ ߞߌ߬ߟߌ߬
Ka taea e koe te whakaatu ki ahau i runga i te mapi?(Ka taea e koe te whakaatu ki ahau i runga i te mapi?)
ߓߍ߬ߓߊ߬ ߓߌ߬ߜߌ߬ ߓߍ߬ ߞߌ߬ߟߌ߬
Tū mai i konei, koa(Tū mai i konei, koa)
ߓߍ߬ߓߊ߬ ߓߌ߬ߜߌ߬ ߓߍ߬ ߞߌ߬ߟߌ߬
E hia te wā e tango ana?(E hia te wā e tango ana?)
Shopping and dining
Ordering food, asking prices, paying the bill, and shopping at markets or stores.
ߊߞߊ ߟߌ߬ߓߊ ߞߊ߬ߙߌߟߌ?
E hia te utu o tēnei?(ehia te utu o tei nei)
߉ߠߊ ߞߊ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߟߌ߬ߓߊ ߞߊ߬ߙߌ
He tino utu tēnā(aɡa ɲa fɔtɔ)
ߊߞߊ ߡߊ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߞߊ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߞߌ߬ߙߌ?
Kei a koe he mea iti ake?(aɡa ɲa fɔtɔ?)
ߊߞߊ ߡߊ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߡߌ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߞߌ߬ߙߌ?
Ka taea e au te utu mā te kāri?(aɡa ɲa fɔtɔ?)
ߊߞߊ ߡߊ ߞߊ ߞߌ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߡߌ߬ߙߌ
E hiahia ana au ki te tepu mō te rua.(aɡa ɲa fɔtɔ?)
ߊߞߊ ߡߊ ߞߌ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߡߌ߬ߙߌ
Tēnā, te rīhi.(aɡa ɲa fɔtɔ?)
ߊߞߊ ߡߊ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߞߊ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߞߌ߬ߙߌ?
Kei roto i te utu te ratonga?(aɡa ɲa fɔtɔ?)
ߊߞߊ ߡߊ ߞߊ ߞߌ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߡߌ߬ߙߌ
He veggie ahau.(aɡa ɲa fɔtɔ?)
ߊߞߊ ߡߊ ߞߊ ߞߌ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߡߌ߬ߙߌ
Kāore he kai pārearea, tēnā.(aɡa ɲa fɔtɔ?)
ߊߞߊ ߡߊ ߞߊ ߞߌ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߡߌ߬ߙߌ
He reka tēnei.(aɡa ɲa fɔtɔ?)
ߊߞߊ ߡߊ ߞߊ ߞߌ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߡߌ߬ߙߌ?
Ka taea e au te rārangi kai?(aɡa ɲa fɔtɔ?)
ߊߞߊ ߡߊ ߞߊ ߞߌ߬ߙߌ ߞߊ ߡߌ߬ߙߌ
Tēnā, he karaihe wai.(aɡa ɲa fɔtɔ?)
Emergencies and health
Help, police, doctor, pharmacy, and urgent situations when you need assistance fast.
ߞߊ߬ߟߊ߬ ߞߍ߬ߟߌ߬
Karanga ki te pirihimana(Kâkâ lîsî)
ߞߊ߬ߟߊ߬ ߟߌ߬ߞߌ߬ ߡߊ߬ߟߊ߬
Karanga ki te āwhina(Kâkâ ambûlâns)
ߘߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߡߊ߬ߖߊ߬
Kei te hiahia au i te rata(Dî nîdâ dâktôr)
ߘߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߟߊ߬
Kei te pāngia au e te mate(Dî fîl sîk)
ߘߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߟߍ߬ߞߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߡߊ߬ߣߊ߬
He pātea au ki ngā pāhiri(Dî âmâ lêrjîk tû pînâts)
ߞߍ߬ ߝߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߡߊ߬ߖߊ߬ ߡߊ߬ߞߌ߬?
Kei hea te hōhipera tata?(Kô wâhâ nîrâst hôspîtâl)
ߘߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߡߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ߟߊ߬
E mamae ana i konei(Dî hûrts hîr)
ߘߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߡߊ߬ߖߊ߬ ߙߊ߬ߓߊ߬
I ngaro taku pasapo(Dî lôst mî pâspôrt)
ߞߍ߬ ߡߊ߬ ߞߊ߬ ߟߊ߬ߖߊ߬ ߙߊ߬ߚߊ߬?
Ka taea e koe te karanga ki taku hōtera?(Kâ nû kâl mî hôtêl)
ߞߍ߬ ߡߊ߬ߡߊ߬!
Tautoko!(Kâ hâlp!)
Work and business
Meetings, email tone, schedules, and professional phrases for the workplace.
መይ ወይ ደሊ እንደ ወይ
Ka pai te kite i a koe(mey wey deli ende wey)
ንደ ወርክ ወን ወይ
Me whakarite tātou i tētahi hui(nda werk wen wey)
ንደ ወይ ወይ ወይ
He aha te wā e pai ana ki a koe?(nda wey wey wey)
እኔ ወይ ወርክ ወይ ወይ
Ka tukuna e au te pūrongo i tēnei rā(eñe wey werk wey wey)
ንደ ወይ ወይ ወይ
Ka taea e tātou te kōrero āpōpō?(nda wey wey wey)
ንደ ወይ ወይ ወይ
Tēnā tirohia te kōnae e piri ana(nda wey wey wey)
መይ ወይ ወይ ወይ
Ngā mihi mo tō wā(mey wey wey wey)
እኔ ወይ ወይ ወይ
Kei te titiro whakamua au ki te mahi ki a koe(eñe wey wey wey)
ንደ ወይ ወይ ወይ
Ka taea e koe te whakamarama i taua kōrero?(nda wey wey wey)
ንደ ወይ ወይ ወይ
Me hoki au ki a koe(nda wey wey wey)
ንደ ወይ ወይ ወይ
Ko te mutunga wā ko te Paraire(nda wey wey wey)
Time, days and numbers
Clock times, days of the week, months, quantities, and counting for appointments and plans.