ngā mihi
/ˈŋaː ˈmihi/word by word
In Maori, 'kind regards' is expressed as ngā mihi.
ngā mihi is a versatile and polite way to close an email or a letter, functioning as a professional sign-off similar to 'kind regards' or 'greetings'.
Meaning: polite closing of a letter (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to 'the acknowledgments' or 'the thanks'. ngā is the plural article and mihi means acknowledgment or greeting.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
ngā mihi is a standard, professional and polite closing suitable for both formal and semi-formal contexts. For a more formal way to say 'warm regards' or 'kind regards', you can use Ngā mihi mahana. If you wish to be informal, such as saying 'stay well' or 'take care', use Noho ora mai.
How does it change in a sentence?
While mihi is a singular noun meaning acknowledgment or greeting, in the phrase ngā mihi it is used in its plural sense to express multiple acknowledgments or a general sense of well-wishes.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈŋaː ˈmihi/
Did you know?
- In traditional Māori etiquette, a formal mihi may be accompanied by a hongi, which is the pressing of noses to share the breath of life.
- Although used today as a friendly greeting, the word mihi is etymologically linked to the concept of 'grieving' or 'regretting'.
- In Māori culture, a mihi is not just a greeting but a way of establishing one's identity and genealogy to find common ground with others.
Examples in context
- Kia ora John, ngā mihi mahana ki a koe.Hello John, kind regards to you.
- Ngā mihi nui ki a koe.Kind regards to you.
Sources
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (ngā, Mihi) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries mihi, CC BY-SA 4.0.
