Everyday Māori
Everyday Māori
Hēmi Kelly and Āpera Woodfine
76. Tēnā koa (Please)
12 minutes Posted Oct 25, 2023 at 1:30 am.
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Show notes

In this episode, we explore different ways to soften a request in te reo Māori.


  • Koa - Implies entreaty and is used with requests to soften them and to make them more polite.
  • Koa is a particle so it shouldn't sit on its own. It shouldn't sit at the start or end of a sentence (unless its directly behind a verb).
  • Use tēnā koa or tēnā at the start of a request.
  • Tēnā koa, tukuna mai he nama ki a au.
  • Tēnā koa, īmērahia mai ngā kōrero o te hui.
  • Mēnā/mehema ka taea e koe, tēnā tukuna tēnei īmēra ki ō tāngata
  • Mēnā/mehema ka taea e koe, waeahia mai au i mua i te rima karaka
  • Use koa directly after the verb in any request.
  • Homai koa ngā taipitopito kōrero
  • Whakapā mai koa i mua i te paunga o te wiki


The Everyday Māori Podcast is supported by Te Mātāwai as a part of its contribution to Maihi Māori - Kia ūkaipō anō te reo.


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