kia waimarie
In Maori, good luck is expressed as kia waimarie.
The phrase is used to wish fortune upon someone or to provide encouragement.
Meaning: used to wish fortune on someone or as encouragement (intj)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase kia waimarie literally means 'be fortunate'. The particle kia is used to express a wish or a command, and waimarie means 'fortunate' or 'lucky'.
How does it change in a sentence?
To specify whom you are wishing luck to, you can add a pronoun after the phrase. Use kia waimarie koe to wish good luck to one person (singular), or use kia waimarie koutou to wish good luck to a group of people (plural).
Did you know?
- While kia waimarie is used for luck, Māori culture often emphasizes mana, a spiritual power or prestige. Success is often viewed as a result of one's mana rather than random chance.
- The word waimarie contains wai, meaning 'water'. In traditional Māori belief, water is often associated with the flow of life and spiritual cleansing, linking the concept of luck to a fluid or refreshing state.
- In some contexts, the word marie within waimarie also means 'peaceful' or 'quiet'. This suggests that being 'lucky' is closely tied to being in a state of balance and tranquility.
Example conversation
Wiremu is leaving for a job interview.
- WiremuKei te haere au ki te whakatākoto.I am going to an interview.
- AnaheraKia waimarie, Wiremu!Good luck, Wiremu!
- WiremuTēnā koe, Anahera.Thank you, Anahera.
- AnaheraKa kite koe anō!See you again!
