On-line Te Reo Māori Dictionary

Ko ngā aha?
What are?
Asking who - Ko wai...?

Ko ngā aha ngā reta ra?
What are those letters?
Asking who - Ko wai...?

Ko te aha te wā?
What's the time?
Why did? - He aha... i... ai?

He aha koe i haere ai ki te taone?
Why did you go to town?
Why did? - He aha... i... ai?

He aha a Rangi i kōrero pēnā ai?
Why did Rangi say it like that?
Why did? - He aha... i... ai?

He aha ngā tamariki i hoki ai ki te kāinga?
Why did the kids return home?
Why did? - He aha... i... ai?

Ko te aha?
What?
Why did? - He aha... i... ai?

He aha koe i kore ai e haere?
Why didn't you go?
Why did? - He aha... i... ai?

He aha a Taika i kore ai e tū ki te whakatau i ngā manuhiri?
Why didn't Taika get up to greet the guests?
Why did? - He aha... i... ai?

Ko te aha tō tino kiriata?
What is your favourite movie?
Why did? - He aha... i... ai?

He aha koe i tōmuri ai?
Why are you late?
Why did? - He aha... i... ai?

He aha koe i tae tōmuri ai i tēnei rā?
Why did you arrive late today?
Why did? - He aha... i... ai?

He aha ia i kata ai?
Why did she laugh?
Why did? - He aha... i... ai?

He aha ō kākahu i paru ai?
Why are your clothes dirty?
Why did? - He aha... i... ai?

He aha taku motokā i pakaru ai?
Why did my car break down?
Why did? - He aha... i... ai?

He aha a Mere i hoki mai ai?
Why did Mere come back?
Why did? - He aha... i... ai?

He aha rāua i mārena ai?
Why did those two get married?
Why did? - He aha... i... ai?

He aha a Tame i haere ai ki Hawai'i?
Why did Tame go to Hawai'ī?
Why did? - He aha... i... ai?

He aha koe i haere ai ki te pāpara kāutu?
Why did you go to the pub?
Why did? - He aha... i... ai?

He aha rātou i kai ai i ērā āporo?
Why did they eat those apples?
Why did? - He aha... i... ai?

Ko te aha te ingoa o te kamupene?
What is the name of the business?
Why did? - He aha... i... ai?

He aha koe e pēnā ai?
Why are you like that?
Why did? - He aha... i... ai?

He aha rātou i peka ai ki taua marae?
Why did they visit that marae?
Why did? - He aha... i... ai?

I kai koe i te aha i nāpo?
What did you eat last night?
Simple sentences: past tense - i

I aha koe?
What did you do?
Simple sentences: past tense - i

I aha koe i tēnei ata?
What did you do this morning?
Simple sentences: past tense - i

I aha koe inapō?
What did you do last night?
Simple sentences: past tense - i

I aha koe i te mutunga wiki?
What did you do in the weekend?
Simple sentences: past tense - i

I haere koutou ki te aha?
What did you go for?
Simple sentences: past tense - i

Ka aha koe ki te tamaiti hīanga?
What will you do with the mischievous child?
Simple sentences: future tense - ka

Kua kitea e koe? Ko te aha? Ko tāku waea pūkoro?
Have you seen it? What? My cell phone?
Simple sentences: past completed tense - kua

Me aha ai?
What should he do?
Simple sentences: you should - me

Me aha rātou?
What should they do?
Simple sentences: you should - me

Me aha a Mere?
What should Mere do?
Simple sentences: you should - me

Me aha a Liam rāua ko Kaia?
What should Liam and Kaia do?
Simple sentences: you should - me

Me aha au?
What must I do?
Simple sentences: you should - me

Me aha ahau ki ngā toenga kai?
What should I do with the leftovers?
Simple sentences: you should - me

Me aha a Kōuraraka ki te pāreti?
What should Goldilocks do with the porridge?
Simple sentences: you should - me

Me aha ngā tamariki?
What shall the children do?
Simple sentences: you should - me

I aha koe i te mutunga wiki.
What did you do in the weekend?
Sentences with i - i

He aha tāna e mahi ana?
What is it that s/he is working on?
What are you doing? - He aha tāu mahi?

He aha ngā mahi kua oti i a koe i ēnei wiki e rua?
What have you completed this fortnight?
What are you doing? - He aha tāu mahi?

He aha ngā mahi ka oti i a koe ā ngā wiki e rua?
What will you do next fortnight?
What are you doing? - He aha tāu mahi?

Kāti, he aha tā kōrua mahi i tēnei rā, e moko?
So, what are you two doing today, my grandchild?
What are you doing? - He aha tāu mahi?

E taku tau, he aha nei ngā mahi mā tāua kia haere atu ki tātahi?
My love, what tasks do we have to do so we can go to the beach to holiday?
What are you doing? - He aha tāu mahi?

He aha tā koutou mahi i te marae i te Rāhoroi?
What were you guys doing at the marae on Saturday?
What are you doing? - He aha tāu mahi?

He aha te mahi a Tainui i te rā nei?
What is Tainui doing today?
What are you doing? - He aha tāu mahi?

He aha te mahi a ngā kuia i te marae?
What is the work of the elderly women at the marae?
What are you doing? - He aha tāu mahi?

He aha tō mahi ināianei?
What are you doing now?
What are you doing? - He aha tāu mahi?

He aha te mahi a te kurī inanahi nei?
What is the dog doing now?
What are you doing? - He aha tāu mahi?

Inanahi nei he aha te mahi a te ngeru?
What was the cat doing yesterday?
What are you doing? - He aha tāu mahi?

He aha te mahi a Pāpā i te Rātapu?
What does Dad do on Sunday?
What are you doing? - He aha tāu mahi?

He aha te mahi a te pēpi i te rā nei?
What is the baby doing today?
What are you doing? - He aha tāu mahi?

Hei aha ngā kākahu kaukau.
Never mind the togs.
Never mind the... No worries! - Hei aha te..., Kia ahatia!

Hei aha tō hamarara.
Never mind (taking) your umbrella.
Never mind the... No worries! - Hei aha te..., Kia ahatia!

Hei aha ērā. Whakamahia ko ēnei.
Never mind those ones over there. Use these ones.
Never mind the... No worries! - Hei aha te..., Kia ahatia!

Hei aha te kapu tī, homai te wai rēmana.
Never mind the cuppa tea, give me a lemon drink.
Never mind the... No worries! - Hei aha te..., Kia ahatia!

Hei aha te kāngarere me te pāreti.
Never mind the cornflakes and the porridge.
Never mind the... No worries! - Hei aha te..., Kia ahatia!

E kore e ua i te rangi nei, hei aha tō koti.
It's not going to rain today, never mind your coat.
Never mind the... No worries! - Hei aha te..., Kia ahatia!

Hei aha te pata kē, tīkina te pata tūturu.
Never mind the margarine, get the real butter.
Never mind the... No worries! - Hei aha te..., Kia ahatia!

Hei aha tāna kōrero.
Never mind what he is saying.
Never mind the... No worries! - Hei aha te..., Kia ahatia!

Hei aha a Amaru, he hīanga tana mahi.
Never mind Amaru, he's up to mischief.
Never mind the... No worries! - Hei aha te..., Kia ahatia!

Hei aha tāu!
Never mind about what you say! Forget about it!
Never mind the... No worries! - Hei aha te..., Kia ahatia!

Hei aha.
Never mind.
Never mind the... No worries! - Hei aha te..., Kia ahatia!

Hei aha tēnā!
Never mind about that! Forget it!
Never mind the... No worries! - Hei aha te..., Kia ahatia!

Hei aha mā Tawa.
Never mind about Tawa! Forget about him!
Never mind the... No worries! - Hei aha te..., Kia ahatia!

Hei aha te huka. Hei aha te miraka.
Never mind the sugar. Never mind the milk.
Never mind the... No worries! - Hei aha te..., Kia ahatia!

Hei aha te pata.
Never mind the butter.
Never mind the... No worries! - Hei aha te..., Kia ahatia!

Taihoa tātou e whakatau me aha.
Let us not decide what to do just yet.
Don't... just yet! - Taihoa... e

He aha kei te taha matau o te pouaka whakaata?
What's on the right-hand side of the television?
In, on, by, under... - kei runga...

Kei te haere koe mā runga aha?
How are you travelling?
Travelling by means of - mā runga

Ka haere koe mā runga aha?
How will you travel?
Travelling by means of - mā runga

Ka tae mai a Mere mā runga aha?
What did Mere travel on (transport)?
Travelling by means of - mā runga

Ka haere koe mā runga i te aha?
How are you going? (travelling).
Travelling by means of - mā runga

Kei te haere koe mā runga i te aha?
How are you travelling?
Travelling by means of - mā runga

Mā runga aha?
On what (will you travel)?
Travelling by means of - mā runga

I haere koutou mā runga aha?
How did you come?
Travelling by means of - mā runga

He aha te pukapuka pai hei pānui mā ngā tamariki?
What is a good book for the children to read?
For the purpose of - hei

He aha te pukapuka pai hei pānui mā ngā tamariki hei konei hei āpōpō?
What is a good book for the children to read here tomorrow?
For the purpose of - hei

He aha te tino kai hei kai mā ngā tamariki?
What is best food for the children to eat?
For the purpose of - hei

Hei aha te rīpene whakapiri? Hei whakamau atu i ngā pānui whakaahua ki te pakitara.
What's that adhesive tape for? For attaching the posters to the wall.
For the purpose of - hei

Hei aha tēnā tuaina? Hei here i aku pīni.
What's that twine for? For tying my beans up.
For the purpose of - hei

Hei aha ngā taonga hangarua rā? Hei hanga taonga toi.
What are those recycled goods for? For making artworks.
For the purpose of - hei

Hei aha te hui?
What is the purpose of the meeting.
For the purpose of - hei

He aha koe i hoki mai ai i te 11?
Why did you come back at 11?
Going somewhere to do something there - ki reira … ai.

Kei te aha kōrua?
What are you two doing?
What is happening at the moment? - kei te aha?

Kei te aha rāua?
What are they doing?
What is happening at the moment? - kei te aha?

Kei te aha koe āpōpō?
What are you doing tomorrow?
What is happening at the moment? - kei te aha?

Kei te aha a Aroha?
What is Aroha doing?
What is happening at the moment? - kei te aha?

Kei te aha tērā tangata?
What is that person doing?
What is happening at the moment? - kei te aha?

Kei te aha koe ināianei?
What are you doing now?
What is happening at the moment? - kei te aha?

Kei te aha koe ākuanei?
What are you doing soon?
What is happening at the moment? - kei te aha?

Kei te aha koe i tēnei rā?
What are you doing today?
What is happening at the moment? - kei te aha?

Kei te aha koe ā tēnei pō?
What are you doing tonight?
What is happening at the moment? - kei te aha?

Kei te aha koe ā te Paraire?
What are you doing on Friday?
What is happening at the moment? - kei te aha?

Kei te aha koe ā tērā wiki?
What are you doing next week?
What is happening at the moment? - kei te aha?

Kei te aha a Jacob?
What is Jacob doing?
What is happening at the moment? - kei te aha?

Kei te aha a Kaia?
What is Kaia doing?
What is happening at the moment? - kei te aha?

Kei te aha a Aria?
What is Aria doing?
What is happening at the moment? - kei te aha?

Kei te aha tāua?
What are we doing?
What is happening at the moment? - kei te aha?

Kei te aha te kuia?
What is the old lady doing?
What is happening at the moment? - kei te aha?

Kei te aha te wūruhi?
What is the wolf doing?
What is happening at the moment? - kei te aha?

Kei te aha ngā tamariki?
What are the children doing?
What is happening at the moment? - kei te aha?

Kei te aha te kaiako ki ngā tauira?
What's the teacher doing with the students?
What is happening at the moment? - kei te aha?

Kei te aha a Nikau ki te keke tiakarete?
What is Nikau doing with the chocolate cake?
What is happening at the moment? - kei te aha?

Kei te aha a Tawa i nāianei?
What is Tawa doing now?
What is happening at the moment? - kei te aha?

Kei te aha koe ā te pō o te Mane?
What are you doing on Monday night?
What is happening at the moment? - kei te aha?

Kei te aha?
What's happening?
What is happening at the moment? - kei te aha?

Kei te aha koe ā te Rāhoroi?
What are you doing on Saturday?
What is happening at the moment? - kei te aha?

Kei te aha rātou?
What are they (3+) doing?
What is happening at the moment? - kei te aha?

Kei te aha te ngeru?
What is the cat doing?
What is happening at the moment? - kei te aha?

Kāore au i te mōhio he aha he whakaaro māku.
I don't know what to think.
Negations of the past and present tense (I was not working, I am not working) - Kāore... i te...

Kāore au i te mōhio he aha he pātai māku.
I don't know what to ask.
Negations of the past and present tense (I was not working, I am not working) - Kāore... i te...

Kāore au i te mōhio he aha he waiata māku.
I don't know what to sing.
Negations of the past and present tense (I was not working, I am not working) - Kāore... i te...

Kāore au i te mōhio he aha he kai māku.
I don't know what to eat.
Negations of the past and present tense (I was not working, I am not working) - Kāore... i te...

I te marae, he aha te mahi a ngā koroua?
At the marae, what is the work of the elders?
Locatives - past (something was somewhere) - i te

Ka aha koe i ngā hararei?
What do you do in the holidays?
Ka used to indicate the past - ka

He aha ngā whainga o tō koutou rōpū?
What are the objectives of your organisation?
Possessives - 'o' class - ō, tōku...

Koia kei a koe mō te āwhina i tō whaea! I aha kōrua i te māra?
You're awesome for helping your mum. What did you do in the garden?
Family relationships - mother - mama, whaea

He aha tāu?
What do you have?
Do you have any...? - He... ?

He aha ō moemoeā?
What dreams did you have?
Do you have any...? - He... ?

He aha?
What?
What? - He aha?

He aha taku kaupapa kōrero?
What is the theme of the conversation?
What? - He aha?

He aha te kupu Māori mō time?
What's the Māori word for time?
What? - He aha?

He aha te kupu Māori mō hat?
What's the Māori word for hat.
What? - He aha?

He aha te tikanga o te raiti whero?
What does the red light mean?
What? - He aha?

He aha te tikanga o te raiti kākāriki?
What does the green light mean?
What? - He aha?

He aha te utu o tēnei āporo?
What's the price of this apple?
What? - He aha?

He aha te rahi o tēnei pane koti?
What size is this skirt?
What? - He aha?

He aha te tae o tēnei?
What colour is this?
What? - He aha?

He aha te tae o tēnā?
What colour is that?
What? - He aha?

He aha tō pīrangi hei kai?
What do you want to eat?
What? - He aha?

He aha tō hiahia?
What do you want?
What? - He aha?

He aha te tae o ōna karu?
What colour are her eyes?
What? - He aha?

He aha tāna?
What does s/he have?
What? - He aha?

He aha tā Rangi?
What does Rangi have?
What? - He aha?

He aha tāu e pīrangi ana?
What is it that you want?
What? - He aha?

He aha tā Ari e kōrero ana?
What is Ari talking about?
What? - He aha?

He aha tō tino kai?
What is your favourite food?
What? - He aha?

He aha ngā rongonga kōrero?
What are the things you've heard?
What? - He aha?

He aha ngā kōrero o te wā?
What is the talk of the day?
What? - He aha?

He aha tāu i tēnei ata?
What did you do this morning?
What? - He aha?

He aha tētehi pukapuka reo Māori kua pānui koe i tēnei wiki?
What Māori language book have you read this week?
What? - He aha?

He aha tāu tūnga i tēnei wa?
What is your role at the moment?
What? - He aha?

He aha te kaupapa o tēnei akoranga?
What's the subject of this lesson?
What? - He aha?

He aha tā Hēmi e pīrangi ana?
What does Hēmi want?
What? - He aha?

He aha kei roto i te pouaka?
What is inside the box?
What? - He aha?

He aha kei roto i te pēke?
What is inside the bag?
What? - He aha?

He aha tōu ā te wāhanga tuarua?
What do you have period two?
What? - He aha?

He aha te utu o tēnei kurī i roto i te matapihi o te toa?
What's the price of this dog in the shop window?
What? - He aha?

He aha te take mō tēnei?
What is the purpose of this?
What? - He aha?

He aha te hapa pai ki a koe?
What dinner is good to you?
What? - He aha?

He aha te whakahoki tika?
What's the correct response?
What? - He aha?

He aha te parakuihi pai ki a koe?
What breakfast do you like?
What? - He aha?

He aha te tāone pai ki a koe?
What town do you like?
What? - He aha?

He aha te tina pai ki a koe?
What lunch do you like?
What? - He aha?

He aha kei roto i ana ringaringa? He kiore?
What's that in his hands? A rat?
What? - He aha?

He aha te whakautu?
What's the answer.
What? - He aha?

He aha koe?
What are you?
What? - He aha?

He aha te wāhi pai ki a koe?
What place do you like?
What? - He aha?

He aha te mea pai ake?
What's better?
What? - He aha?

He aha kei waho i te matapihi?
What's outside the window?
What? - He aha?

He aha mō runga i ō hēki kaurori?
What would you like on your scrambled eggs?
What? - He aha?

He aha mō runga i tō tōhi?
What do you want on your toast?
What? - He aha?

He aha mō runga, e tai?
What do you want on it friend?
What? - He aha?

He aha kei roto i te kāpata?
What's in the cupboard?
What? - He aha?

He aha te kai pai ki a koe?
What is your favorite food?
What? - He aha?

He aha ērā tikanga?
What are those customs?
What? - He aha?

He aha te ingoa o tōu huarahi?
What's the name of your street?
What? - He aha?

He aha ngā mea papai ki a koe?
What do you like doing?
What? - He aha?

He aha ngā hākinakina pai ki a koe?
What sport do you like?
What? - He aha?

He aha kei runga i te tēpu?
What's on the table?
What? - He aha?

He aha kei waenganui i te rūma noho?
What's in the middle of the lounge?
What? - He aha?

He aha tēnei rā?
What day is it?
What? - He aha?

He aha te kupu Māori mō lollies?
What is the Māori word for lollies?
What? - He aha?

He aha tā tātou?
What do we want?
What? - He aha?

He aha te wā?
What is the time?
What? - He aha?

He aha tō hiahia? He pāreti māu, he panakeke rānei e moko?
What do you want? Porridge or pancakes, grandchild?
What? - He aha?

He aha tēnei momo kai?
What type of food is this?
What? - He aha?

He aha te kai kāore e pai ki a koe?
What food do you dislike?
What? - He aha?

He aha te hē o tō tama?
What's wrong with your son?
What? - He aha?

He aha te kaimoana pai ki a koe?
What seafood do you like?
What? - He aha?

He aha te nama?
What's the number?
What? - He aha?

He aha te tae o tōu whare?
What is the colour of your house?
What? - He aha?

He aha te kupu Māori mō 'awesome'?
What's the Māori word for 'awesome'?
What? - He aha?

He aha tō pirangi hei kaikai?
What do you want to eat?
What? - He aha?

He aha te tikanga o tēnā?
What does that mean?
What? - He aha?

He aha tēnā haunga?
What's that smell?
What? - He aha?

He aha te hākinakina pai ki a koe?
What sport do you like?
What? - He aha?

He aha ngā mea ngahau ki a koe?
What things do you find entertaining?
What? - He aha?

Pū, e hoa, he aha tēnā?
Phew, mate, what is that?
That (near you) - tēnā, te... nā

I aha koe i tērā wiki?
What did you do last week?
Last week, last month, last year - tērā

I aha koe i tērā marama?
What did you do last month?
Last week, last month, last year - tērā

I aha koe i tērā tau?
What did you do last year?
Last week, last month, last year - tērā

Hei aha tēnei?
What's it for?
What is this for? - hei aha?

Nā te aha i pēnei ai?
For what reason is it like this?
Like this, like that - pēnei, pēna, pēra

Nā te aha i pēnā ai?
For what reason is it like this?
Like this, like that - pēnei, pēna, pēra

Nā te aha i pērā ai?
For what reason is it like that?
Like this, like that - pēnei, pēna, pēra

He aha koe i titiro tītaha pēnā mai ai?
Why do you always look sideways at me like that?
Like this, like that - pēnei, pēna, pēra

Nā te aha koe i titiro tītaha pērā mai ai?
What caused you to look sideways at me like that?
Like this, like that - pēnei, pēna, pēra

He aha ngā mea pai ki a koe?
What things do you like?
I like... - He pai ki a au...

Tēnā, he aha te kai pai ki a koe?
Okay then, what food do you like?
I like... - He pai ki a au...

Me waea atu ki a ia kia mōhio ai he aha to aha.
You should call him to know what's happening.
In order to - kia... ai

He aha a Tama i kore ai e tākaro?
Why didn't Tama play?
*Why didn't? - he aha i kore ai e?

He aha a Koa i kore ai e tae mai ki te hui?
Why didn't Koa come to the hui?
*Why didn't? - he aha i kore ai e?

He aha tātau i kore ai e toa?
Why didn't we win?
*Why didn't? - he aha i kore ai e?

He aha koe i kore ai e horoi i ngā rīhi?
Why didn't you wash the dishes?
*Why didn't? - he aha i kore ai e?

He aha koe i kore ai e haere ki te mahi?
Why didn't you go to work?
*Why didn't? - he aha i kore ai e?

Nā te aha koe i haere ai?
For what reason did you go?
For what reason? - nā te aha ai?

Nā te aha rātou i kōrero ai?
For what reason did they speak?
For what reason? - nā te aha ai?

Nā te aha koe i kai ai i te āporo?
For what reason did you eat the apple?
For what reason? - nā te aha ai?

Nā te aha ia i hoki ai ki te kāinga?
For what reason did he/she return home?
For what reason? - nā te aha ai?

Nā te aha ngā tamariki i tākaro ai?
For what reason did the children play?
For what reason? - nā te aha ai?

Nā te aha koutou i haere ai ki te tāone?
For what reason did you (plural) go to town?
For what reason? - nā te aha ai?

Nā te aha te kaiako i whakatika ai i te mahi?
For what reason did the teacher correct the work?
For what reason? - nā te aha ai?

Nā te aha ngā mātua i tae mai ai ki te kura?
For what reason did the parents come to the school?
For what reason? - nā te aha ai?

Nā te aha koe i moe ai i te pō nei?
For what reason did you sleep tonight?
For what reason? - nā te aha ai?

Nā te aha te tama i tangi ai?
For what reason did the boy cry?
For what reason? - nā te aha ai?

Nā te aha koe i haere ai?
For what reason did you go?
For what reason? - nā te aha ai?

Nā te aha koe i tōmuri ai?
For what reason are you late?
For what reason? - nā te aha ai?

Nā te aha ia i kata ai?
For what reason did she laugh?
For what reason? - nā te aha ai?

Nā te aha ō kākahu i paru ai?
For what reason are your clothes dirty?
For what reason? - nā te aha ai?

Nā te aha tātau i kore ai e toa?
Why didn't we win?
For what reason? - nā te aha ai?

Nā te aha koe i kore ai e haere?
What is the reason why you didn’t go?
Why not? - nā te aha i kore ai?

Nā te aha rātou i kore ai e kōrero?
Why didn’t they speak?
Why not? - nā te aha i kore ai?

Nā te aha koe i kore ai e kai i te āporo?
Why didn’t you eat the apple?
Why not? - nā te aha i kore ai?

Nā te aha ia i kore ai e hoki ki te kāinga?
Why didn’t he/she return home?
Why not? - nā te aha i kore ai?

Nā te aha ngā tamariki i kore ai e tākaro?
Why didn’t the children play?
Why not? - nā te aha i kore ai?

Nā te aha koutou i kore ai e haere ki te tāone?
Why didn’t you (plural) go to town?
Why not? - nā te aha i kore ai?

Nā te aha te kaiako i kore ai e whakatika i te mahi?
Why didn’t the teacher correct the work?
Why not? - nā te aha i kore ai?

Nā te aha ngā mātua i kore ai e tae mai ki te kura?
Why didn’t the parents come to the school?
Why not? - nā te aha i kore ai?

Nā te aha koe i kore ai e moe i te pō nei?
Why didn’t you sleep tonight?
Why not? - nā te aha i kore ai?

Nā te aha te tama i kore ai e tangi?
Why didn’t the boy cry?
Why not? - nā te aha i kore ai?

Nā te aha koe i kore ai e haere?
What is the reason why you didn't go?
Why not? - nā te aha i kore ai?

Nā te aha i Tama i kore ai e tākaro?
What is the reason why Tama didn't play?
Why not? - nā te aha i kore ai?

He aha koe e haere ai ki te hui?
Why will you go to the hui?
Why... now? - He aha... e... nei?

He aha koe e pēnā nei?
Why are you doing it like that?
Why... now? - He aha... e... nei?

He aha koe i kore ai e haere mai ki tōku whare?
Why didn't you come to my place?
Why didn't... - He aha... i kore... ai e

He aha tātou e kore ai e kai i puaa āpōpō?
Why won't we be eating pork tomorrow?
Why won't... - He aha... e kore ai e...

He aha te heihei e kore ai e whakawhiti i te rori.
Why won't the chicken cross the road?
Why won't... - He aha... e kore ai e...

He aha koe e kore nei e moe?
Why aren't you sleeping?
Why aren't... - he aha... e kore nei e...

Hei aha tāna kōerero
Don't take any notice of his talk.

He aha te take i pēnei ai koe?
What is the reason you did this?

Nā te aha ēnei kāpeti i kai?
What has eaten these cabbages?

Hei aha māku!
What does it matter to me?

Nā te aha koe i wehe atu ai?
What causes you to depart? (Why are you leaving?) (See 24.7.)

He aha ngā mahi e meatia ai e tōu tuakana?
What are the jobs that will be done by your brother?

Hei aha māu?
What does it matter to you?

Hei aha māna?
What does it matter to him/her?

Ehara i te mea he aha, heoi anō.
It's no big deal.

He aha ā rātou mahi āpōpō?
What are their tasks tomorrow?

He aha koe i tangi ai?
Why did you cry?

He aha rātou i waiata ai i tērā waiata?
Why did they sing that song?

Nōna e taitama ana he aha ngā momo waiata ki runga i ngā marae?
What kind of sobgs were sung on the marae when she was young?

He aha ia i moe ai i te hui?
What was the reason for him sleeping in the meeting, ir:

Kāore i tutuki te kaupapa, ahakoa mā te aha.
The plan was not carried out, but never mind.

He aha te kurī i auau ai?
Why did the dog bark?

He aha te mea i pīrangi koe?
What was it that you wanted?

He aha te waiata e waiatatia ana e te kaumātua
What is the waiata (which is) being sung by the kaumātua?

He aha ō rātou whakaaro e pā ana ki tēnā?
What do they think about that?

He aha ngā tamariki i tākaro ai i te papa tākaro?
Why did the children play in the playground?

He aha te mea rā?
What’s that?

He aha te whaea i kōrero ai ki te kaiako i te kura?
Why did the mother talk to the teacher at the school?

He aha tā rātou kurī i whai ai i tērā ngeru?
Why did their dog chase that cat?

He aha a Rangi i tuhi ai i tētahi pukapuka i tērā tau?
Why did Rangi write a book last year?

He aha a Mere i taraiwa ai i tana motokā ki te mākete i tērā wiki?
Why did Mere drive her car to the supermarket last week?

He aha rātou I kōrero ai
What them past or present talking reason for?

He aha koe i titiro mai ai ki au?
Why are you looking (why did you look) at me?

He aha rātou I kōrero ai?
That's what I said.

He aha kōrua ka wewete ai i te kūao nā?
Why are you (just setting about) untying that colt?

He aha koe I tangi ai.
Why were you crying.

He aha koe I tangi ai
Can either mean why were you crying crying

He aha te kurī I auau ai
Can either mean why was the dog barking or why is the dog barking now?

I te aha kē koe inanahi?
What were you doing yesterday?

He aha koe i mahi ai i te kāinga?
Why were you working at home

He aha rātou i haere ai?
Why did they go?

He aha koe e haere atu ai?
Why will you go?

He aha koe ka haere atu ai.
But it's not.

He aha koe ā haere atu ai.
But that's not correct either.

He aha ia e ako ai?
Why will she learn?

He aha rātou e waiata ai?
Why will they sing?

He aha koe tē kōrero mai ai?
Why did you not speak to me?

E aha ana koe?
What are you doing?

He aha ia e umere nei?
What is happening now to cause her to shout?

He aha tērā?
What is that over there?

He aha rātou e waiata nei?
Why are they singing?

He aha a Rangi e haere atu nei?
Why is Rangi leaving?

He aha rāua i piri ai?
Why were those two together?

He aha ngā tamariki e katakata nei?
Why are the children laughing?

He aha ngā tauira i harikoa ai?
Why were the students happy?

He aha koe *i* katakata ai?
What has happened to cause you to laugh?

Me titiro ki te aha?
What should (we) look at?

He aha ngā pirihimana e kanikani nei?
Why are the police officers dancing?

He aha tāu hei kai paramanawa?
What have you got for morning tea?

Kua piki haere ngā utu mō ngā whakaākoranga o te whare wānanga, me te aha, kua nui haere ngā ākonga e noho nama ana ki ngā pēke
University course fees continue to rise, with the result that more and more students are owing money to the banks.

Ahakoa i tae toomuri mai koutou, hei aha!
Although you arrived late, never mind!

He aha ērā kararehe?
What are those animals over there?

Mā te aha i tae mai rātou ki te tautoko
At least they came to offer their support

Me aha a Ihu e rātou?
What should be done to Jesus by them?

Me aha tātou i nāiānei?
What should we do now?

He aha koe i haere mai i te rourou iti a Haere, te noho atu ai koe, i te tokanga nui a Noho?
Why did you come here for the short supplies of the traveller, instead of remaining at home with the plentiful provisions of the stay-at-home?

He aha tāu e inu ai?
What will you drink?

Kua aha koe
What have you done?

I aha koe
What did you do?

He aha i haere ai?
Why did you go?

He aha a Turi i haere ai ki Taupo?
Why did Turi go to Taupo?

Ka aha koe
What will you do?

He aha e haere ai?
Why will you go?

Me aha tātou?
What shall we do?

I te aha koe
What were you doing?

He aha koutou i whakamataku ai i a māua?
Why did you frighten us?

Nā te aha kē rā au i pēnei ai ..
Why was I thinking like this ..

30.42 Kei te aha koe? 87
30.43 Pronunciation of kei 87

He aha a mea i mahi ai?
Why did mea do the work?

He aha tāu e pīrangi nā?
What do you want?

He aha tā kōrua e pīrangi nā?
What do you two want?

He aha koe i karanga ai ki a au?
Why did you call me?

He aha te tāima?
What is the time?

Ka mea atu ki a ia, ‘He aha koe e tangi nā?
Why are you weeping?

He aha ngā whāinga o tō koutou rōpū?
What are the objectives of your organisation?

He aha ahau e māharahara ai mō tērā?
Why should I worry about that?

He aha kōrua tē haere tahi mai ai?
Why didn't you come back together?

He aha ngā kai a te iwi o Inia?
What do Indian people eat?

He aha koe i haere mai?
Why have you come here?

He aha te mahi a Tāmati?
What is Tāmati’s job?, What does Tāmati do?

He aha koe i haere mai i te rourou iti a Haere, tē noho atu ai koe i te tokanga nui a Noho?
Why did you come with the small basket of Traveller, instead of remaining with the large basket of Stay-at-home.

He aha tā koutou e pīrangi nā?
What do you all want?

Ka aha koe āpōpō?
What are you doing tomorrow?

He aha tāu e rapu nā?
What are you looking for?

He aha kē a Hone i tāhae ai i tō pukapuka?
Why did John steal your book?

He aha tā kōrua e rapu nā?
What are you two looking for?

He aha tā koutou e rapu nā?
What are you all looking for?

He aha tērā ika
What is that fish?

I aha koe i te ata o te Mane?
What did you do on Monday morning?

He aha ngā pitopito kōrero?
What is news?

He aha tā rāua e rapu nā?
What are those two looking for?

He aha te ingoa o tērā ika
What is the name of that fish?

He aha tā rāua e tunu rā?
What are those two cooking?

He aha tērā tangata
What is that person? and

He aha koe i hoki mai ai?
Why did you return?

Ka aha koe ā te pō nei?
What are you doing tonight?

He aha kua mahue i te tamaiti?
What has the child left behind?

He aha koe tē haere ai?
Why did you not go?

Ka aha koe ā te mutunga wiki nei?
What are you doing this weekend?

E kimi ana ia ki te aha?
What's he searching for?

Ko te aha tērā whare mā
What is that white building?

He aha koe te haere ai ki mua ki.te ārahi?
Why did you go in front to lead?

Kua pau ngaa kai i te aha?
What ate up the food?

He aha tāu e kimi nā?
What are you looking for?

Naa te aha i pau ai ngaa kai?
What ate up the food?

He aha rāua i kōrero ai?
Why did they talk?

Naa te aha i whaka·pau ngaa kai?
What ate up the food?

He aha hoki i pēnei ai ngā Māori nei?
Why were these Maori people acting this way?

Kei te aha a Jeremy?
What is Jeremy doing?

He aha ngā tauira i whakarongo ai?
Why did the students listen?

I aha a Timoti?
What did Timoti do?

He aha ngā tauira e whakarongo ai?
Why will the students listen?

He aha te take i reti ai e Maaui te raa?
Why did Maui catch the sun?

I aha koe i te mutunga wiki? He pai tō āhua!
What did you do in the weekend? You look great!

He aha ngā tauira e whakarongo nei?
Why are the students listening?

He aha te mahi a Hata ki teeraa raakau?
What did Hata do to that tree?

He aha rāua e kōrero ai?
Why will those two talk?

He aha rāua e kōrero nei?
Why are those two talking?

He aha ai.
Why?

Ko te aha naa Hata i here?
What did Hata tie up?

He aha naa Hata i here?
What was it Hata tied up?

I te aha koutou ko Mānia, ko Himiona i roto rā?
What were you and Mānia and Himiona up to in there?

Mā te aha i te mahi kai.
What's better than providing food.

Ka aha koe ā Te Aranga?
What will you do for Easter?

E haere mai ana te tangata e tuhituhi ana i te aha?
The man who is writing what is coming?

Kia ora e hoa, i aha koe mō Te Aranga?
Hi friend, what did you do for Easter?

He aha kei roto i tāu kete?
What is in your kit?

He aha koe i haere ai ki a ia?
Why did you go to her?

He whare aha teenei?
This is a what sort of house?

Kei te aha a Hata?
What is Hata doing?

Ko te aha tēnei rā?
What is this day?

He aha te kara o teeraa whare?
What is the colour of that house?

He aha te mea nui i kite naa koe?
What is the big thing that you saw?

I te aha ngā tamariki inanahi?
What were the children doing yesterday?

Hei aha teeraa whare?
What is that house for?

He aha tā Mohi i korero ai ki a koutou?
What was that which Moses said to you?

Singular: Ko te aha?
What is? What was?

Plural: Ko ngā aha?
What are? What were?

E aha ana a Mere?
What is Mere doing?

Hei aha ngā moni i hōatu ai ki a Mākereta?
Of what use (for what purpose) was the money that was given to Mākereta? (Why was the money given to Mākereta?)

Pātai atu ki ngā tāngata kei te aha rātou.
Ask the people what they are doing.

Kua ngaro i a koe too pukapuka me too aha?
You’ve lost your book and what?

I aha rātou?
What did they do?

Naa ngaa kau, naa ngaa aha i kai ngaa kuumara?
the(pl) kumara The cows and what ate the kumaras?

He aha koe i te hōatu ai i taku moni ki te pēke?
Why did you not give my money to the bank?

I aha ēnā tamariki?
What did those children do?

Nā te aha a Amaru i kore ai e tae mai ki te hui?
What is the reason why Amaru did not come to the meeting?

Mā te aha ngā tuna e maroke ai?
How will the eels be dried?

He aha te kara o ana makawe
What colour is his hair?

E aha ana rātou? (Kei te aha rātou?)
What are they doing?

He aha koe i tangi *ai*?
Why did you cry?

He aha te painga o te pērā?
What’s the good of doing that?

Naa wai i aha?
Who did what?

ko te aha?
L100: “What?

E aha ana a Rua? (I te aha a Rua?)
What was Rua doing?

Ka aha rāua?
What will they do?

I patu·a a wai e Hata ki te aha?
Hata hit whom with what?

Ko wai e aha ana i a wai i whea?
Who is doing what to whom where?

Ko wai taa Hata e patu naa ki te aha?
Whom is Hata hitting with what?

he aha ai
L301: “In order to

E aha ana ia i te kuri?
What is he doing to the dog?

He aha tēra?
What’s that?

He aha ēra?
What are they?

E kai ana ngā tamariki i te aha?
What are the children eating?

Me aha rā kia kata ai a Kae?
What must be done to make Kae laugh?

Mā te aha e mate ai te atua i a koe?
How could you kill a god?

I te mahi te kāmura i te aha?
What was the carpenter making?

Kei te aha a Hēra?
What is Hera doing?

Hei aha (noa iho) a Hōne e haere ai
Hōne doesn’t have to go

Kei te haere koe ki te aha?
What are you going (off somewhere) to do?

I aha ērā tamariki?
What did those children do?

I aha te whānau?
What did the whānau do?

Ko ngā aha ēnā?
What are those?

I te titiro ia ki te aha?
What was she looking at?

He aha ēnā?
What are those?

E whakarongo ana rātou ki te aha?
What are they listening to?

Ko te aha kei te tukituki ki te wini?
What is banging against the window?

He aha te utu mō te tautara nā?
How much for that fishing rod?

Kei te pupuhi ia ki te aha?
What is he shooting at? (At what is he shooting?)

Nan, he aha te take ka nui ake ētehi paukena i ētehi atu?
Nan, why do some pumpkins grow bigger than others?

He aha koe tē noho ai ki te kāinga?
Why didn’t you stay at home?

Hei aha a Hōne e haere ai.
Hōne doesn’t have to go.

Kāore he aha ki a au.
It doesn't matter to me.

Hei aha noa iho a Hōne e haere ai.
Hōne doesn’t have to go.

Hei aha a Hōne i haere.
Hōne didn’t have to go.

He aha ai ia i kore ai e haere ki te mahi?
Why didn’t he go to work?

Me aha ahau kia whiwhi ai ki te ora tonu?
What must I do to obtain eternal life? (How shall I obtain eternal life?)

Nā te aha ngā kānga i kai?
What has eaten the corn?

Mā reira, ka aha?
So what? And …?

Hei aha too oka, e Rewi?
What is your butcher-knife for, Rewi?

He aha i pēnei ai?
Why is it like this? (near me)

Nā te aha rātou i hoki mai ai
Through what cause (why) did they come back?

He aha i pēnā ai?
Why is it like that? (near you)

Me aha tēnei mea?
What should be done to this thing?

He aha i pērā ai?
Why is it like this? (over there)

He aha te take e koa ana tōu tuahine
What is the reason your sister is glad? Why is your sister glad?

Nē? I aha koe?
Really? What did you do?

He aha tāu? (He aha tāu e hiahia ai?)
What do you want?

He aha tā te kurī?
What is the dog up to? (What’s the trouble with the dog?)

Hei aha tēnā tūpara
What is that shotgun for?

I aha a Tame?
What did Tame do?

Mā te aha i tēnā!
What's better than that!

E tangi ana kōrua ki te aha?
Why are you weeping?

Tika tāu e hoa. I aha koe i te mutunga wiki?
You are right! What did you do in the weekend?

I patua a wai e Hata ki te aha?
Who was hit with what by Hata?

Ko wai tā Hata e patu nā ki te aha?
Who is Hata hitting with what?

He aha rā i mau ake ai te ika ki tana mātau?
Why were they caught by his hook?

E tama, i te aha koe?
Boy, what were you doing?

He aha ērā?
What are those?

I aha koe inanahi?
What did you do yesterday?

Kei te aha koe?
What are you doing?

Kei te aha ia?
What is she doing?

He aha te kara o ōna tōkena?
What is the colour of his socks?

He aha ō wawata?
What are your aspirations?

Koia nā te mate o te kuware, kāore e mōhio he aha te aha.
That’s the trouble with being ignorant; you don’t know what is what.

He aha ai?
What caused something

He aha tēnei mea?
What is this thing?

He aha tō mahi?
What is your work?

He aha e nei?
Why are?

He aha ahau i kōrero pēnei ai?
Why did I speak like this?

He aha koe e haere nei?
Why are you going?

He aha tērā tangata?
What is that person?

Kei te pātai ia ki a Hera, 'He aha tēnei?'
He is asking Hera, 'What is this?'.

He aha koe e hīkoi pēnā nei?
Why are you walking like that?

He aha koe e haere ai?
Why will you go?

Ko te aha tēnei?
What is this?

He aha tāu e kimi nei?
What your seeking now?

He aha te utu o tōu motukā hōu?
What was the cost (price) of your new car?

He aha a Rangi e kanikani pērā ai?
Why will Rangi dance like that?

He aha rātou i kata ai?
Why did they laugh?

He aha tā rātou e hiahia ana?
What is it that they desire? (What do they want?)

Kaaore au i te maumahara he aha taana i koorero mai ai ki ahau
I don’t remember what he told me

He aha tō ingoa?
What is you name?

He aha rātou i waiata pērā ai?
Why did they sing like that.

He aha koe i kōrero pēnā ai?
Why did you speak like that?

Kaaore au i te maumahara he aha aa taaua i hoko mai ai
I don’t remember what we bought

He aha ahau e whakaaro pēnei nei?
Why am I thinking like this?

He aha koe i pēnā ai?
Why are you being like that? Why do you think that?

He aha koe i patu ai i a ia?
Why are you hitting him?

He aha tāna mahi?
What is her job?

He aha tā tātou pēpi e tangi pērā ai?
Why will our baby cry like that.

Kei te kimi koe i te aha?
What are you looking for?

He aha te kara o ana makawe?
What is the colour of his hair?

He aha a Pita e hoki ai ā te Mane?
Why will Peter be returning on Monday?

E aha kē ana koutou?
What on earth are you doing?

He aha te utu o (mō) tōu motukā hōu?
What was the cost (price) of (for) your new car?

He aha ia i kōrero pēnā ai ki a tāua?
Why did he speak like that to us?

He aha te mahi a Rangi?
What is Rangi doing?

He aha i murua e te tangata?
What was repossessed by the man?

Ki te kore te taipō e puta mai, me aha au?
If the ghost doesn't appear, what should I do?

He aha koe e noho nei i roto i te waiariki?
Why are you sitting in the hot pool?

He aha te taima?
What is the time?

Nā te aha rātou i ngenge ai?
Why are they tired?

Mā te aha te mahi e oti ai?
How did the work be completed?

He aha koutou i noho ai ki te kāinga?
Why did you stay home?

He aha hoki rā i kore ai e mau ki tāku?
Why on earth doesn’t it stick to mine?

I paatai mai a ia he aha taa Rewi e whaangai ana
He asked what Rewi was going to feed

Nā te aha koutou i noho ai ki te kāinga?
Why did you stay home?

= He aha te take i hoki mai ai rātou?
(Because of) a wish to see their mother.

He aha koe tē haere mai ai?
Why didn’t you come?

Ha aha hoki!
No way!

Nā te aha koe i mākū ai?
What made you wet?

Kaaore au i te moohio he aha hei hanga·nga maa·ku
I don’t know what to build

Nā te aha koe i oho ai?
What caused you to wake up?

Hei aha ēnei mea?
What are these things used for?

Kei te mātakitaki koe i te aha?
What are you watching?

He aha ia i moe ai?
Why did he sleep?

Mō te aha tēnei?
What does this concern?

Kei te haere ngā tamariki ki te aha?
What are the children going to?

He aha mō runga?
What would you like on top?

He aha koe i tūreiti ai?
Why are you late?

He aha mō runga i ō panakeke e tama?
What would you like on your pancakes, son?

He aha atu mō runga?
What else would you like on top?

He aha te take i hoki mai ai rātou?
What is the reason they have returned?

He aha mō runga i tō pāreti?
What would you like on your porridge?

He aha tēnei?
What is this (by me)?

He aha tēnā?
What is that (by you)?

He aha ēnei?
What are these things (by me)?

Hei aha koa.
Never mind; no matter.

Me aha koa.
So what? No matter.

He aha ēnā momo inu?
What are those types of drinks (by you)?

He aha māu?
What would you like?

Ko Ponga koā rāua ko Puhihuia i noho kau noa iho, hore he kupu, hore he aha.
Ponga and Puhihuia, however, just sat, without a word, without anything.

He aha koe *e* kai ai?
Why will you eat.

Nā wai i aha?
Who did what?

He aha tāu mahi?
What are you doing?

He aha koe ɛ haere ai?
Why will you go?

He aha i waiho ai te manuhiri kia karanga ana?
Why is the visitor left calling (for water)?

He aha koe *e* haere ai?
And actually, it’s the same idea when we use ɛ in a command.

He aha tā koutou mahi inanahi nei?
What did you guys (3 or more) get up to yesterday?

He aha tā kōrua mahi i Pōneke?
What did you two get up to in Pōneke?

He aha te ingoa o te waahi e waru maero te tawhiti atu i Te Araroa?
mile the distance away from Te Araroa ‘What is the name of the place whose distance from Te Araroa is eight miles?

He aha tō mahi i Te Wānanga o Raukawa?
What are you going to do at Te Wānanga o Raukawa?

Hei aha te kapu tī, homai te wai rēmana.
never mind the cup of tea, give me the lemon juice.

He aha tā koutou mahi i te kura i tēnei rā?
What did you guys get up to at school today?

He aha tā koutou mahi i te marae i te Rāhoroi?
What were you guys doing at the marae on Saturday?

He aha a Hēmi e haere atu ai ki te hui mā runga i te pahi?
Why will Hēmi go to the meeting by bus?

He aha koe i haere ai?
Why did you go?

Hei aha te huka.
Never mind (the/any) sugar.

Kia ora Te Manaaki, kei te aha koe e hoa?
Hi, Te Manaaki, what are you doing friend?

Hei aha te tote.
Never mind the salt.

Hei aha te miraka.
Never mind (the/any) milk.

Hei aha te pata.
Never mind any butter.

Hei aha te kāngarere me te pāreti.
Never mind the cornflakes and the porridge.

E kore e ua i te rangi nei, hei aha tō koti.
It's not going to rain today, never mind your coat.

He aha / Ko te aha tēnei wā o te tau
What is this season of the year?

Hei aha te pata kē, tīkina te pata tūturu.
Never mind the margarine, get the real butter.

Hei aha tāna kōrero.
Never mind what he is saying.

Hei aha a Tīwana, he hīānga tana mahi.
Never mind Tīwana, he's up to mischief.

Ka mea atu ia ki taku whāea, he aha i kore ai au e haere ki te Whare Wānanga o Ōtākou mō te toru tau, ka puta rā, ka haere ki te Wānanga-ā-Rangi, Nōki Kāreti mō ngā tau e toru (Pōtatau 1991:47)
She asked my mother why I didn’t go to the University of Otago for three years, and when I finished there, go to the Theological Faculty, Knox College, for three years

Mā te aha i tēnā.
More than adequate. That will do. It's OK.

He aha tā rātou mahi āpōpō?
What is their task tomorrow?

Hei aha ngā toenga kai?
What the leftovers for?

Hei aha te pene rā?
What is the purpose of that pen?

He aha te kore ai e rere mā runga waka?
Why did she not go by boat?

Ha aha koe i kore ai e haere?
Why didn't you go?

Hei aha tēnei hui?
What is the purpose of this meeting? (Like, why on earth are we here?)

Hei aha tō mahi?
What is the point of your work? (There is no point!)

Hei aha te kaupapa?
What is the purpose of the kaupapa?

Hei aha ngā rīhi.
Never mind the dishes. Don't worry about the dishes.