🇳🇿 Maori phrases

How to Say "Yes and no" in Maori

The SPAIKING TeamJuly 27, 2026
Āe, kāo
"Yes and no" in Maori · say it like ah-eh, kah-oh

The most natural way to say "Yes and no" in Maori is Āe, kāo. 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

Āe, kāore
Used in more formal contexts
Ae, kaore
Another formal variant, similar meaning

When to use it

Use this phrase when you want to express agreement and disagreement at the same time. It can be used in conversations where a nuanced response is needed. It's common in discussions where both sides of an argument are valid.

Say it out loud, get corrected

Reading it is not the same as saying it. Practice "Yes and no" and thousands more with an AI coach that listens.

Examples in Maori

MaoriEnglish
Ka taea te haere, āe, kāo.It can go, yes and no.
Common mistake
Learners often confuse the order of the words, but it should always be 'Āe, kāo'.

The fastest way to remember it

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

When should I use 'Āe, kāo'?

Use it when you want to indicate both agreement and disagreement.

Learn Maori by speaking it

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