tēnā rawa atu koe
In Māori, "thank you so much" is expressed as tēnā rawa atu koe.
This phrase is used to express a high level of gratitude to another person.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally breaks down to "that very much you". tēnā refers to the state of being or "that", rawa atu functions as an intensifier meaning "very much" and koe is the singular "you".
Which one should you use?
While tēnā koe is the standard way to say "thank you", the phrase tēnā rawa atu koe adds the intensifier rawa atu to express "so much" or "very much".
How does it change in a sentence?
You can modify the phrase depending on how many people you are addressing. To change the phrase from addressing one person to addressing two people, replace koe with kōrua to say tēnā rawa atu kōrua. To change the phrase to address three or more people, replace koe with koutou to say tēnā rawa atu koutou.
Did you know?
- In Māori culture, expressions of gratitude are often accompanied by a 'hongi', a traditional greeting where two people press their noses and foreheads together.
- The word koe is believed to be onomatopoeic, meaning its sound may have been inspired by the actual sound of the person it represents.
- While tēnā rawa atu koe is used for gratitude, the word tēnā can also be used as a formal greeting to a single person.
Examples in context
- Tēnā rawa atu koe mō te āwhina.Thank you so much for the help.
- Tēnā rawa atu koe i tēnei rā.Thank you so much today.
- Tēnā rawa atu koe mō te koha.Thank you so much for the gift.
Example conversation
Manaia helps Aroha carry some heavy bags.
- ManaiaAnei ngā pākē, Aroha.Here are the bags, Aroha.
- ArohaTēnā rawa atu koe, Manaia.Thank you so much, Manaia.
- ManaiaKāore he raru.No problem.
- ArohaHe tino pai koe.You are very kind.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries koe, rawa, CC BY-SA 4.0.
