Adjectives

1. Nui

   Big

   Usage

   For asking for another size; use it with a gesture

2. Iti

   Small

   Usage

   For describing clothing or room size

3. Taumaha

   Heavy

   Usage

   For excess baggage, or asking someone to lift something

4. Māmā

   Light (weight)

   Usage

   About weight only — in many languages this is a different word from “bright”

5. Utu nui

   Expensive

   Usage

   The opening move in a haggle; pair it with a face

6. Utu iti

   Cheap

   Usage

   For asking whether a cheaper option exists

7. Wera

   Hot (thing)

   Usage

   About food, drink, or water — not the same word as hot weather

   Grammar Note

   "Wera" is a hot object; hot weather is the clause "kei te wera te rā."

8. Mātao

   Cold (thing)

   Usage

   About drinks and food — not the same word as cold weather

   Grammar Note

   "Mātao" describes cold food or objects; cold weather is "makariri."

9. Hou

   New

   Usage

   For checking whether something is unused

10. Tawhito

    Old (thing)

    Usage

    For objects only; used of people it is rude in many languages

    Grammar Note

    "Tawhito" is for objects; it is not used of people.

11. Rangatahi

    Young

    Usage

    About a person’s age; a small-talk word

12. Kaumātua

    Old (person)

    Usage

    The dedicated word for people; pick the respectful one

    Grammar Note

    "Kaumātua" names a respected elder in the community — the word to choose when referring to someone’s age.

13. Mā

    Clean

    Usage

    For a clean room or clean water

14. Paru

    Dirty

    Usage

    Useful when asking to change rooms

15. Pai

    Good

    Usage

    The all-purpose word for agreement and approval

16. Kino

    Bad

    Usage

    For saying that your health or an item’s quality is poor

17. Tata

    Near

    Usage

    For checking whether somewhere is within walking distance

18. Tawhiti

    Far

    Usage

    Tells you whether you need transport

19. Wawe

    Early

    Usage

    About clock time; in many languages a different word from “fast”

    Grammar Note

    "Wawe" is early in time; fast in speed is "tere."

20. Tōmuri

    Late

    Usage

    About clock time; in many languages a different word from “slow”

    Grammar Note

    "Tōmuri" is being late; slow in speed is "pōturi."

21. Maha

    Many

    Usage

    About quantity or how crowded somewhere is

22. Ruarua

    Few

    Usage

    Also useful for asking for a smaller portion

23. Kei te wera te rā

    Hot (weather)

    Usage

    About the weather — a different word from a hot object

24. Kei te makariri

    Cold (weather)

    Usage

    About the weather — a different word from a cold object

25. Ātaahua

    Cute

    Usage

    Used for people and things; closer to "beautiful/lovely"

26. Reka

    Delicious

    Usage

    The word you will reach for most often at the table

27. Whakamīharo

    Amazing

    Usage

    An expression of surprise and admiration

28. Ngahau

    Fun

    Usage

    For describing an experience itself

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