Language/Maori/Vocabulary/Animals
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Animals Vocabulary in Maori
Welcome Māori language learners!
In today's lesson, we'll learn some useful vocabulary related to "Animals".
New Zealand is a country known for its unique and diverse natural environment, with many of its animal species found nowhere else on the planet.
Happy learning!
Once you've mastered this lesson, take a look at these related pages: Vegetables & City.
Facts: Main Animals in New Zealand
New Zealand is home to a diverse range of animals, many of which are found nowhere else on earth. Some of the most iconic animals living in New Zealand include:
- Kiwi bird: The Kiwi bird is a flightless bird and the national symbol of New Zealand. There are five species of Kiwi in New Zealand, each with its unique characteristics.
- Kea parrot: The Kea is the world's only alpine parrot and is known for its curious and mischievous nature.
- Humpback whale: Humpback whales migrate to New Zealand's waters every year and are known for their spectacular displays of breaching and tail slapping.
- Sperm whale: Sperm whales are the largest predator on earth and can be found year-round in New Zealand's waters.
- Fur seal: New Zealand fur seals are a common sight on the country's coastline, and visitors can often see them basking in the sun or swimming in the ocean.
- Takahe: The Takahe is a large flightless bird that was thought to be extinct until it was rediscovered in 1948.
- Kakapo parrot: The Kakapo is a critically endangered parrot that is only found in New Zealand. It is the world's heaviest parrot and is known for its distinctively owl-like appearance.
kararehe - animal
| Māori | English |
|---|---|
| tākuta kararehe | veterinary surgeon |
| kurī | dog |
| punua/kūao kurī, papi [UK] | puppy |
| ngeru | cat |
| punua ngeru/poti | kitten |
| kiore | rat |
| mauihi [UK] | mouse |
| kāihe | donkey, (ass) |
| hōiho [UK] | horse |
| hōiho uwha | mare |
| punua hōiho | foal, (colt) |
| poniponi [UK] | pony |
| ōkiha [UK] | ox |
| pūru [UK] | bull |
| kau [UK] | cow |
| kāwhe [UK] | calf |
| hipi [UK] | sheep |
| reme [UK] | lamb |
| nanenane
pirikoti [UK] |
goat
Billy-goat |
| poaka [UK/FR] | pig |
| rāpeti [UK]
hea [UK] |
rabbit
hare |
| kamiriona | mole |
| hetiheti [UK] | hedgehog |
| kīrera [UK] | squirrel |
| pōkiha [UK] | fox |
| wūruhi | wolf |
| pea [UK] | bear |
manu - bird
| Māori | English |
|---|---|
| kōhanga | nest |
| kiwi | kiwi |
| pouākai, ēkara [UK] | eagle |
| karoro | seagull |
| toroa | albatross |
| kūkupa | dove |
| tīkaokao, tame heihei | rooster, (cock) |
| heihei, pīkaokao | hen |
| rakiraki, (whio) | duck |
| kuihi [UK] | goose |
| wani | swan |
ika - fish
| Māori | English |
|---|---|
| paea | swordfish |
| mangō
mangō pounamu mangō pare |
shark
blue shark hammerhead shark |
| aihe | dolphin |
| tohorā | whale |
| kekeno | seal |
| pāpaka | crab |
| honu | turtle, tortoise |
| pātangaroa | seastar, starfish |
| anga | seashell |
| kūtai
toretore |
blue mussel
blue mussel |
| tio | oyster |
| pāua | abalone |
| wheo | coral |
| pūpū | snail |
| putoko | slug |
| nākahi [UK] | snake |
| ngārara | lizard |
| moko, mokomoko
mokopāpā moko kākāriki |
gecko
[brown] [green] |
| poraka taratara | toad |
| poraka [UK] | frog |
pēpeke - insects
| Māori | English |
|---|---|
| pōpokorua | ant |
| kihikihi | cicada |
| pihareinga | cricket |
| māwhitiwhiti | grasshopper |
| ngaro | fly |
| pūrerehua | butterfly |
| kapowai | dragonfly |
| titiwai
pūrātoke |
firefly,
glow-worm |
| noke, (toke) | earthworm |
| ngoikura | ladybug, (ladybird) |
| pī [UK] | bee |
| wāpi [UK] | wasp |
| waeroa | mosquito |
| papata | cockroach |
| pūngāwerewere | spider |
| hikutimo | scorpion |
whare kararehe - zoo
| Māori | English |
|---|---|
| makimaki [UK] | monkey, ape |
| kākā, pōrete [UK]
kākāpō |
parrot
night parrot |
| momoa | ostrich |
| raiona [UK] | lion |
| uwha raiona | lioness |
| rēparo [UK]
pānihi |
leopard
panther |
| taika [UK] | tiger |
| kāmera [UK/AR] | camel
dromedary |
| hīpara | zebra |
| kakīroa | giraffe |
| arewhana | elephant |
| rinorino | rhinoceros |
| hipohipo | hippopotamus |
| kumi ihuroa | crocodile |
| kāngarū | kangaroo |
Practice Phrases
Here are some phrases to help your remember some of the above words in context:
- I tino pai te kai i te ika kaiwhakatikatika i te wiki. - The fish was very good for dinner this week.
- E kimi ana ahau i tētahi manu hei whakawhitiwhiti i ngā whakaaro. - I am looking for a bird to distract my thoughts.
- He manu tino rerekē tērā, ko te pouākai. - That's a very unusual bird, the eagle.
- Kei te pai tonu ngā moko ki te whakarereke i ngā awa. - The geckos are good at controlling the insects near the river.
- He nui ngā kararehe kei te whakamātau te hunga taiao ki te tiaki i a rātou. - There are many animals that environmentalists are trying to protect.
Videos
Learn some key animals in Te Reo Māori
ANIMALS in Te Reo and NZSL (with sounds) for kids
Te Reo Maori Farm Animals Cards
Māori Language Week 2017 - animal names
Farm Animals I Te Pāmu I Learn Te Reo Māori
Other Lessons