Electronics

1. Te waea pūkoro

   Mobile phone

   Usage

   Literally "pocket phone", built on "waea" from the nouns card

2. Te rorohiko

   Computer

   Usage

   "Roro" (brain) plus "hiko" (electricity), built the same way as Hawaiian "lolouila"

3. Te rorohiko pōnaho

   Laptop

   Usage

   Coined on the idea of a computer that sits on the knees

4. Te pūhihiko

   Charger

   Usage

   The same form as in the nouns card; New Zealand uses the Type I plug, as in Australia

5. Te pūhiko

   Battery

   Usage

   The loanword "pāteri" is also widely used

6. Te hiko

   Electricity

   Usage

   Originally "to flash"; it is the root inside "rorohiko" (computer) and "taura hiko" (power cord)

7. Te pouaka whakaata

   Television

   Usage

   Literally "reflecting box"; there is a Māori-language channel, Whakaata Māori

8. Te reo irirangi

   Radio

   Usage

   Literally "voice on the air"; tribal stations are named "Te Reo Irirangi o ..."

9. Te kāmera

   Camera

   Usage

   A loanword; "pū whakaahua" is the coined alternative. Always ask before photographing on a marae

10. Te rama

    Torch / lamp

    Usage

    Covers everything from a flaming torch to a lamp or flashlight; the loanword "tōti" is also used

11. Te pouaka makariri

    Refrigerator

    Usage

    Literally "cold box"; often a shared fridge in a hostel

12. Te pūrere horoi kākahu

    Washing machine

    Usage

    "Machine that washes clothes"; often shortened to "pūrere horoi"

13. Te purutaringa

    Earphones

    Usage

    "Taringa" is the ear; the same word covers earplugs

14. Te ipurangi

    Internet

    Usage

    A well-established coinage; Wi-Fi itself is usually said in English

15. Te taupānga

    App

    Usage

    A phone app; several exist for learning te reo Māori

Browse all TravelPhrases languages