🇳🇿 Maori phrases

How to Say "Dog" in Maori

The SPAIKING TeamJuly 27, 2026
kurī
"Dog" in Maori · say it like koo-ree

The most natural way to say "Dog" in Maori is kurī. Tap the speaker above to hear it, then say it back out loud. That is the fastest way to make it stick.

Other ways to say it

kuri
a more casual term often used in everyday conversation

When to use it

Use 'kurī' when referring to a dog in general. It can be used in both formal and informal contexts. You might use it when talking about pets or animals in a conversation.

Say it out loud, get corrected

Reading it is not the same as saying it. Practice "Dog" and thousands more with an AI coach that listens.

Examples in Maori

MaoriEnglish
He kurī tōku hoa.My friend has a dog.
Common mistake
Some learners confuse 'kurī' with other animal names, so it's important to remember it specifically means dog.

The fastest way to remember it

Vocabulary you only read fades fast. Vocabulary you say out loud sticks. Hear kurī, repeat it a few times, then use it in a real sentence. SPAIKING lets you practice exactly that, speaking Maori with a coach that corrects your pronunciation in real time. You can start with two free conversations.

Frequently asked questions

What is the plural of 'kurī'?

The plural is 'kurī' as well, as Māori often uses the same form for singular and plural.

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