Kia ora can be used to greet someone, show appreciation, offer love, and establish a connection.
The native Mori language is the source of the friendly and welcoming greeting known as “kia ora,” which is used often throughout New Zealand.
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What does kia ora mean?
Kia ora, in its most basic form, says greeting. But because it makes a reference to life and health, “kia ora” is more than just a simple greeting.
More than merely a passing greeting, these two words have deeper meanings. The word “ora” literally means “to live” or “to be alive.” By adding “kia,” it is transformed from a noun to a verb, becoming “living” instead of “alive”. As a result, when you say “kia ora” to someone, you are wishing them life itself.
When should you say kia ora?
In New Zealand, the informal greeting kia ora is used. Everyone uses it in everyday discourse, from the prime minister to the neighborhood shopkeeper.
Use kia ora as a greeting or farewell, to express gratitude, to express support, or to convey a warm “cheers.” Kia ora can be used to start an email or answer the phone.
It’s crucial to express gratitude to others. By saying “Kia Ora,” we acknowledge not only them but also everything about them, including who and from where they are.
The kia ora reaction is what?
Ngahiwi Apanui, the company’s chief executive, explains that “it’s actually more of a ‘gidday’; I wouldn’t say it to elders or if I was meeting someone for the first time.”
The expression can be used to end an email, wish someone well, or express gratitude.
Apanui explains, “It also signifies to wish someone life and health.” Kia is a future tense particle that, technically speaking, means something will happen. Together, ora and kia mean life.
We say “kia ora r” when someone corrects us or helps us, according to Apanui. R can refer to the sun or day, but in this case, it denotes a separation from the speaker, much like the phrase “by that.”
Apanui thinks that the expression is quite adaptable. It’s being thrown around everywhere, and he thinks that’s fantastic.
“Even if kia ora is the only term people use to communicate in te reo Mori, that is still preferable to saying nothing. However, it’s far better if everyone understands what that brief passage implies.”
Is saying kia ora impolite?
Many individuals outside of New Zealand are familiar with the salutation “Kia Ora.” It also has a wide range of meanings! Kiwis use it to greet one another, wish one luck, and convey other sentiments. In essence, it’s a comprehensive way to convey well wishes. Our pals at Massey say that one misconception about New Zealanders that is really accurate is that they are highly amiable people. People will frequently welcome you with “Kia Ora!” as you start your day when you study abroad in New Zealand.
Maori Language Terms
Te Reo, another official language of New Zealand, is a bilingual nation. Even though it’s not as common as English, you might hear some of these words mentioned in a conversation.
Not sure how to say or pronounce these words? Obtain this free Maori pronunciation guide by clicking here.
How do you define kia ora koutou?
Despite the fact that English is New Zealand’s primary language, the Mori language is a national treasure and is currently seeing a rebirth. Pick up some basic language.
Te Reo Mori, New Zealand Sign Language, and English are all recognized as official languages in New Zealand. The majority of people speak English, although only about 4%, or 140,000, do so in Te Reo. As a result, it is now the second most widely used language in New Zealand.
The Mori language is being revived and is regarded as a national treasure. Te Reo is still a living language that is widely spoken in New Zealand because to programs like Mori Language Week, Mori language schools (from pre-school through high school), and a Mori language television station.
In the traditional Mori greeting known as the hongi, two individuals press their noses and occasionally their foreheads together (pictured). It is typically used at ceremonial gatherings of Mori people and is sometimes followed by a handshake.
You can assist in sustaining the language Te Reo Mori by striving for accurate pronunciation and use straightforward words and expressions in daily speech. A wonderful place to start is by learning the fundamental Mori greetings (mihi). Anywhere in New Zealand you use them, you’ll probably get a big smile in return.
Thank you
Kia ora is a greeting that can also be used to show gratitude in general.
The Mori words for “thank you” are tn koe (to one person), tn krua (to two people), and tn koutou (to three or more persons).
What does “hi” mean in Kiwi?
- The customary greeting for complete strangers is a handshake. To convey confidence, it should be forceful and accompanied by eye contact.
- A light chuckle at the formality of handshakes during introductions may come from New Zealanders.
- The degree of a physical greeting depends on how comfortable the other person is with you.
- When welcoming someone they know, some people give them a hug. Close friends might also give each other cheek kisses as a greeting, while others would only nod.
- “An informal way to say “hello” and “thank you,” kia ora (Key-or-rah) can also be used to express acknowledgment.
- “Tn koe” (pronounced “Teh-nah kweh”) is a formal salutation,
- A formal greeting for two people is called tn krua (Teh-nah cor-roo-ah), and “A three-person or more formal greeting is called tn koutou (Teh-nah co-toe).
- Mori traditionally use the hongi to welcome one another. This involves two persons holding each other’s heads while squeezing their noses and foreheads together and inhaling at the same time to share the same moment and breath. This particular salutation is typically saved for official Mori occasions.
- When visitors arrive, the Mori also have a pwhiri welcoming ceremony. This involves a customary test to determine whether visitors are allies or enemies, which is typically followed by a call to welcome, speeches, and musical selections.
How do you say “kia ora”?
“My life has transformed since I began learning Mori at Te Wnanga o Aotearoa 15 years ago. I immediately developed a passion for this lovely language thanks to the professors and classmates I met there who gave me the confidence to think that the Mori language is for me too, despite the fact that I am not a Mori. Today, only 15 years later, I teach te reo pronunciation and have developed a number of te reo books and sing-along tools.
“I discovered about halfway through my journey that many of my teaching colleagues also struggled with pronouncing te reo with confidence. They informed me that the tools at their disposal were challenging to utilize and that they lacked the self-assurance necessary to move past greetings, orders, colors, and numbers. Te Reo Singalong books were inspired by the repeated text patterns I was seeing being sung to a catchy song.
“These novels received overwhelmingly positive reviews, which were followed by calls for pronunciation workshops. I explain that the key to pronouncing Mori words correctly is to break them at each vowel. However, applying this understanding to every Mori word and phrase we useincluding our location namesis the most crucial thing we can do.
“Although bad role models and years of habit are the main causes of improper pronunciation rather than deliberate action, I think teachers have a specific duty to try their best. Teachers might be the only people students look up to for advice on how to pronounce te reo Mori properly. They mimic the speech of others around them as they learn to speak. They will follow if we do it well.
“I think there’s a lot we can learn from how kids pick up language. Infants and young children don’t begin using complete phrases. They begin by practicing sounds before progressing to words and finally phrases. Before young toddlers learn to speak in complete sentences, it takes some time. It stands to reason that acquiring a second language like Mori should go in a similar manner. We should begin by perfecting the language’s sounds. Then, before going on to simple phrases, we should use those sounds to pronounce single words clearly.
“I advise teachers to start with the basics and master the vowel sounds when I work with them in pronunciation workshops. Why say anything at all “kia ora if we don’t know how to pronounce the term properly? You might be surprised to learn that a lot of people mispronounce the simple greeting.
Most people substitute “Ki ora” for “Hi there. We are unable to omit the “a at the end of “kia because there are no silent letters in the Mori alphabet. Most Mori speakers claim that “Ki / ao / ra is the right way to pronounce it.
“You can view some of the little films on my Facebook page, Pronunciation Signposts in Te Reo Mori, to learn more about te reo pronunciation.
How do Mori people greet one another?
The Maori people of New Zealand utilize the customary greeting known as “Hongi” to greet one another. To hongi, you press your nose and forehead towards the other person’s nose and forehead. Many Maori individuals prefer to hongi rather than shake hands.
Although a handshake will also be exchanged with an hongi at significant rituals to greet guests from many cultures. It is common to witness males and females, young and old, hongi when they cross paths in public. The greeting is a common practice in daily life and is not only used at formal or cultural gatherings. in particular for individuals who are attached to their Maori background.
According to Maori legend, the hongi was first used in the creation of mankind. Hineahuone, also known as the “earth formed woman,” was the first woman ever made by the gods. She was shaped like the ground. Hineahuone was embraced by the god Tane, who also gave her nostrils life.
The custom of Mori greeting one another by pressing noses is thought to have originated from the gods themselves. By exchanging this physical greeting, one becomes tangata whenua, or “one of the people of the land,” as opposed to manuhiri, or “a guest.”