🇳🇿 Maori phrases

How to Say "Please" in Maori

The SPAIKING TeamJuly 27, 2026
Tēnā
"Please" in Maori · say it like teh-nah

The most natural way to say "Please" in Maori is Tēnā. 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

Tēnā koa
more formal, often used in requests
Koa
casual and friendly, often used among friends

When to use it

Use 'Tēnā' when you want to be polite in a conversation. It can be used in various contexts, such as asking for something or expressing gratitude. 'Tēnā koa' is more formal and suitable for requests, while 'Koa' is more casual.

Say it out loud, get corrected

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

Examples in Maori

MaoriEnglish
Tēnā, ka taea e koe te tuku mai?Please, can you send it?
Tēnā koa, homai te wai.Please, give me the water.
Common mistake
Learners often forget to use 'koa' for more polite requests.

The fastest way to remember it

Vocabulary you only read fades fast. Vocabulary you say out loud sticks. Hear Tēnā, 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

Is 'Tēnā' used in all situations?

No, it's best used in polite contexts; for casual situations, use 'Koa'.

Learn Maori by speaking it

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