20 Maōri Proverbs with English Translations
Hey, folks!
‘Round here, there’s nothing we love more than proverbs from different cultures, in different languages. They usually offer a sneak peek into how people view the world and their place in it. Not to mention, a lot of these sayings are just downright hilarious.
Today’s offering is one we’re especially excited to bring you, as these represent, in our opinion, some of the more outlandish (in an awesome way!) ideas we’ve come across since embarking on our proverb collecting mission. New Zealand’s natives sure have a colourful way of looking at things!
May we present to you 20 Maōri proverbs along with their English translations, plus a handful of illustrations for some of our favourites.
This is only a short sample from a much larger collection, which you can find here (it’s definitely worth a read).
Maōri proverbs 1-5
| Maōri | English | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| He rei ngā niho, he paraoa ngā kauae. | A whale’s tooth in a whale’s jaw. | You have to have the right qualifications for your pursuits. |
| He pirau kai mā te arero e kape. | The tongue rejects rotten food. | Evil is soon discovered and sent away. |
| He kiore puku rua. | A rat with two stomachs. | Said of a greedy person who’s never satisfied. |
| Waiho mā te tangata e mihi. | Let someone else acknowledge your virtues. | |
| He rā whatiwhati kō. | A day for breaking the spade. | A good day for hard work. |
Maōri proverbs 6-10
| Maōri | English | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Kaua e hoki i te waewae tūtuki, ā pā anō hei te ūpoko pakaru. | Never turn back because of stumbling feet, but only because of a broken head. | Stay the course. |
| He iti te whāinga, he nui te pāremata. | A little dispute, a great revenge. | Though the provocation is small, the revenge will be severe. |
| He pai rangi tahi. | The beauty of a single day. | Beauty is fleeting. |
| Me te tarakihi e papā ana i te waru. | Like cicadas chattering in the eighth month (summer). | Said of talkative people. |
| He pai tāne e kore e reia; he kino wahine ka reia. | A good-looking man isn’t sought after, but an average-looking woman is eagerly pursued. |
Maōri proverbs 11-15
| Maōri | English | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Ka mahi te ringaringa aroarohaki tauā. | The hand that quivers when facing the enemy is to be admired. | |
| Ka pū te rūhā, ka hao te rangatahi. | The old rags lie in a heap, while the net is used for fishing. | Youths replacing the old. |
| Kahore he tārainga tāhere i te ara. | You won’t be able to build a bird spear on the road. | Prepare well before taking on a task. |
| Tō te ware tōna patu he kai. | Eating is the downfall of low-born people. | Someone’s character is revealed in the way they eat. |
| Ka roa te ngaromanga, he iti te putanga. | When it’s hidden for a long time, it will be small when it presents itself. | Actions speak louder than words. |
Maōri proverbs 16-20
| Maōri | English | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| He toa piki rākau he kai nā te pakiaka. | A brave man who climbs trees is food for their roots. | Said of people with dangerous professions. |
| He aha mā te rōrā? | What use is a coward to anyone? | |
| Pāpaku a ringaringa, hōhonu a korokoro. | The hand is shallow but the throat is deep. | Said of a lazy person with a gluttonous appetite. |
| Kia eke au ki runga ki te puna o Tinirau. | I might as well be sitting on the blowhole of a whale. | When criticism comes from one’s friends. (In Maōri mythology, Tinirau was the guardian of whales.) |
| He nui tō ngaromanga, he iti te putanga. | A long time away, but little to be seen for it on your return. | You talk a good game. |
