kua ngenge au
In Māori, kua ngenge au is the phrase used to say "I am tired".
This phrase is a statement used to express that a person feels a lack of energy or needs rest.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of kua, a particle indicating a completed change of state. ngenge, meaning tired. And au, meaning I.
Which one should you use?
The phrase kua ngenge au literally translates to "I have become tired," emphasizing the transition into the state of exhaustion. If you wish to describe the state of being tired rather than the transition into it, you may use ngenge au.
How does it change in a sentence?
To change the subject of the sentence, replace the pronoun au with ia to say "he" or "she" is tired (e.g., kua ngenge ia).
Did you know?
- The word au is a homograph in Māori, meaning it can refer to the person 'I' or to a 'current' or 'flow'.
- While kua ngenge au describes physical tiredness, Māori has different terms to distinguish between being 'sleepy' and being 'exhausted'.
- The word au descends from the Proto-Austronesian root *aku, which is found in many languages across Southeast Asia and the Pacific.
Examples in context
- Kua ngenge au i te mahi.I am tired from work.
- Kua ngenge au i te hīkoi.I am tired from the walk.
- Kua ngenge au i te rā.I am tired from the day.
Example conversation
Anahera and Wiremu are relaxing at home in the evening.
- AnaheraKua ngenge au rawa.I am very tired.
- WiremuMe moe koe.You should sleep.
- AnaheraAe, kua ngenge au.Yes, I am tired.
- WiremuKa kite i te ata.See you in the morning.
