Ngā mihi o Matariki
Happy Matariki in Māori is expressed as Ngā mihi o Matariki.
Ngā mihi o Matariki is the standard way to express 'Happy Matariki' as a greeting during the Māori New Year celebrations.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to 'The greetings of Matariki'.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word Ngā is the plural marker for mihi (greetings), making the phrase a plural construction.
Did you know?
- In Māori legend, the name Matariki may represent the eyes of the god Tāwhirimātea, who plucked them out and threw them into the sky.
- While mihi is used today to mean 'greetings', its linguistic roots in Proto-Polynesian are tied to the act of grieving or regretting.
- In Māori culture, the time of Matariki is not just for celebration but for remembering those who have passed away during the year.
Examples in context
- Ngā mihi mō te tau hōu Māori ki a koutou katoa!Greetings for the Māori New Year to you all!
- Nau mai, haere mai ki te whakanui i a Matariki, whānau!Welcome, come celebrate Matariki, family!
- Kia ora, kia pai te Matariki ki a koe!Hello, may Matariki bring you goodness!
- Ngā mihi o Matariki ki a koe.Happy Matariki to you.
- Ngā mihi o Matariki ki a katoa.Happy Matariki to everyone.
- Ngā mihi o Matariki ki te whānau.Happy Matariki to the family.
Example conversation
Wiremu and Anahera meet at a community festival.
- WiremuKia ora Anahera, Ngā mihi o Matariki!Hello Anahera, happy Matariki!
- AnaheraNgā mihi o Matariki ki a koe hoki, Wiremu.Happy Matariki to you too, Wiremu.
- WiremuKei te pēhea koe?How are you?
- AnaheraKei te pai ahau, tēnā koe.I am well, thank you.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Matariki, mihi, CC BY-SA 4.0.
