ko … ahau
In Maori, the phrase 'my name is' can be expressed as ko … ahau or ko … taku ingoa.
Meaning: a way to identify oneself (phrase)
Ways to say it
| Maori |
|---|
| ko … ahau |
| ko … taku ingoa |
These phrases are used to identify yourself. The word Ko acts as a marker indicating that you are about to state your name.
What does it mean word for word?
The form ko … ahau literally translates to 'I am …'. In the form ko … taku ingoa, the phrase taku ingoa means 'my name'.
Which one should you use?
While ko … taku ingoa specifically mentions the word 'name', ko … ahau is a more direct way to state one's identity, equivalent to 'I am …'.
How does it change in a sentence?
In the phrase ko … taku ingoa, the part taku ingoa means 'my name'.
Did you know?
- When introducing yourself, it is common to accompany the phrase with a 'hongi', a traditional greeting where two people press their noses and foreheads together to share the breath of life.
- In some traditional contexts, certain names were considered so sacred that they were not spoken aloud, and speakers would use a descriptive phrase or a different name instead.
- In many Maori contexts, your identity is not just a label but is often tied to your 'pepeha', a formal introduction that includes your mountain and river before your name.
Examples in context
- Ko John tōku ingoa.My name is John.
- Ko Sarah tōku ingoa.My name is Sarah.
- Ko Tama tōku ingoa.My name is Tama.
- Peter tōku ingoa.My name is Peter.
- Ko Ema tōku ingoa.My name is Ema.
- Lisa tōku ingoa.My name is Lisa.
- Ko Sam tōku ingoa.My name is Sam.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “my name is” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
