How to say “Hello” in Maori

The most common way to say “hello” in Maori. Tap to copy or hear it pronounced.

Kia ora

In a sentence

English

Hello, how are you?

Maori

Kia ora, Kei te pēhea koe?

Translate more text into MaoriMaori dictionary

Frequently asked

How do you say "Hello" in Maori?

"Hello" in Maori is "Kia ora". This is the most common everyday rendering; depending on context, formal/informal or dialectal variants may apply.

How is "Kia ora" written in Maori?

"Kia ora" is the standard written form in Maori, rendered left-to-right.

How do you pronounce "Kia ora" in Maori?

Tap the speaker icon on this page to hear "Kia ora" pronounced by a native-style synthetic voice. For practice, repeat the phrase out loud immediately after listening — the rhythm and stress are usually what trips learners up, not the individual sounds.

What does "Kia ora" mean in English?

"Kia ora" is the Maori way of saying "Hello" in English. It's used in everyday conversation in roughly the same situations as the English original.

Are there formal or informal ways to say "Hello" in Maori?

Many languages — including Maori — distinguish formal and informal registers, and may also vary by speaker gender, plurality, or regional dialect. "Kia ora" is the most broadly understood form; for register-specific variants, use the full translator above with your exact sentence.

Where is Maori spoken?

Maori is spoken by an estimated 185,000 people worldwide. Use the language page to translate full text and explore where the language is used.

Is there a free Maori dictionary?

Yes — Polytranslator provides a free Maori dictionary with word-by-word translations and example usage. Click the dictionary link on this page to look up individual words from "Kia ora" or any other Maori text.

Other common phrases in Maori

Hello” in other languages