When visiting the Cook Islands, it's helpful to know some basic words and phrases in the local language to enhance your experience and connect with the people. The table above provides a selection of useful words and their pronunciations in the Cook Islands Maori language, along with their English meanings. Whether you want to greet someone with "kia orana" (hello), express gratitude with "meitaki" (thank you), or describe the beautiful "moana" (ocean) and "maunga" (mountain), these phrases will help you navigate everyday conversations and show your appreciation for the local culture.
| Word | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| kia orana | kee-a or-ah-na | hello |
| aere ra | eye-ray ra | goodbye |
| meitaki | may-tah-key | thank you |
| ae | eye | yes |
| kare | ka-ray | no |
| tane | ta-ney | man |
| vaine | va-ee-nay | woman |
| manea | ma-knee-ah | pretty/handsome |
| ura | oo-rah | to dance |
| kai | kye | food/'kaikai' to eat |
| teia ra | tay-ee-a ra | today |
| apopo | ah-poe-poe | tomorrow |
| ra | rah | sun |
| marama | ma-ra-ma | moon |
| moana | mo-ah-na | ocean |
| maunga | mow-uhn-ga | mountain |
