maori
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun 1. The indigenous Polynesian people of New Zealand (Aotearoa): The Maori are the original inhabitants of New Zealand, with a distinct culture, history, and social structure. 2. The Polynesian language spoken by the Maori people: The Maori language (te reo Māori) is an Eastern Polynesian language and an official language of New Zealand.
Examples
- Noun (referring to the people):
- The Maori have a rich tradition of storytelling and carving.
- She is proud of her Maori heritage.
- Noun (referring to the language):
- He is learning to speak Maori.
- Many place names in New Zealand are in Maori.
Advanced Usage
- As an adjective: While "Maori" is primarily a noun, it is commonly used attributively (like an adjective) to describe things related to the Maori people or culture.
- Maori culture (the culture of the Maori people)
- A Maori meeting house (a traditional communal house, a wharenui)
- Maori traditions (the traditions of the Maori people)
Variants and Related Words
- Maoritanga (noun): A Maori concept encompassing Maori culture, customs, practices, and way of life.
- Pakeha (noun): A Maori term commonly used in New Zealand to refer to a New Zealander of European descent.
Synonyms
- Tangata whenua (noun phrase): A Maori term meaning "people of the land," used to refer to the indigenous people of a particular area, especially the Maori.
- Indigenous New Zealanders (noun phrase): A descriptive term for the Maori people.
Notes on Usage
- The word "Maori" is typically not pluralized with an "s" (e.g., , not ).
- In the Maori language, the word is correctly written with a macron over the "a" (Māori) to indicate a long vowel sound. This diacritical mark is increasingly used in English contexts to show respect for the language.
Noun
- the Oceanic language spoken by the Maori in New Zealand
- an ethnic minority of Polynesian and Melanesian descent who speak Maori and live in New Zealand