Kia Ora - Hanako Iwatsuki

 “Kia Ora” means “Hello” and “Thank you” in Maori. The word does not simply express a greeting. “Ora” means life or a state of being alive. And by adding “Kia” as a prefix, it turns into a verb, it has a more active meaning of being alive. 

This phrase is not only used warm greeting in daily life, but it also express gratitude,  show affection, and help build new relationships in various situations.

Example sentence:  Kia Ora! Nice to meet you. /  Kia Ora for your help.

I chose the phrase because many Kiwi use this phrase in daily and I think it is the most widely recognized Maori word.


Comments

  1. Erina YokobeMarch 17, 2025 at 7:12 PM

    Nice explanation! Although I had known that "Kia Ora" is a greeting word in Maori language, I learned for the first time that it also means "Thank you"!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Noriko KinoshitaMarch 17, 2025 at 7:14 PM

    I heard "Kia Ora" many times after coming NZ, too!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hanako IwatsukiMarch 18, 2025 at 1:02 AM

      Thank you for your comment! We can hear this word even in university.

      Delete
  3. Yuriko IizukaMarch 17, 2025 at 7:18 PM

    I guess Kia Ora is the most common maori language in NZ !
    Most email is start from Kia Ora !
    I love this culture and tradition.

    ReplyDelete
  4. AnonymousMarch 17, 2025 at 7:19 PM

    After I came to NZ, I occasionally hear this word but I didn’t know much about it. So I appreciate it to give me a opportunity to learn this word!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hanako IwatsukiMarch 17, 2025 at 7:42 PM

      Thank you for your reply! I am glad to hear that.

      Delete
  5. Keigo TominagaMarch 17, 2025 at 7:22 PM

    I was suprised that kia ora also has meaning thank you. I want to use it when I talk to kiwi people.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hanako IwatsukiMarch 17, 2025 at 7:41 PM

      Thank you for your reply! I agree with you and I am glad to hear that.

      Delete
  6. David WoodfieldMarch 17, 2025 at 7:32 PM

    Indeed it is interesting that "Kia Ora' can both start and finish a conversation. :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hanako IwatsukiMarch 17, 2025 at 7:39 PM

      Thank you for your comment. I will try to use this word !

      Delete
  7. Ai MatsunoMarch 17, 2025 at 7:32 PM

    It’s very interesting that we can use it in different context.

    ReplyDelete
  8. VictoriaMarch 17, 2025 at 7:43 PM

    It is interesting to find that there is always some beautiful meaning in many Maori word. I really like the word Ora meaning state of being alive.

    ReplyDelete

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