Whakataukī (Proverbs) Flashcards
Procrastination is the thief of time.
E tata tepahi, e roa whakatū.
Long on words, short on actions.
Hōhonu kakī, pāpaku uaua.
Never say die.
Okea ururoatia.
There is no place like home.
Kia mau ki te tokanga nui a noho.
What’s done is done.
E kore a muri e hokia.
From the withered tree a flower blooms.
Iti noa ana he pito mata.
Long on words, short on actions.
Hōhonu kakī, pāpaku uaua.
Unlike the branch of the tītoki tree that decays and dies, people live on through their descendants.
Ehara te tangata i te peka tītoki.
Once bitten, twice shy.
E hia motunga o te weka i te māhanga.
Even though the wedge is small, it brings down the mighty tōtara tree.
(A little effort can achieve great things)
Ahakoa he iti te matakahi, ka pakaru i a ia te tōtara.
Soon evil disappears like the setting sun.
(A community can overcome evil if it tries hard enough)
Ākuanei a kino tō ai me he rā.
Here we are in the night, birthday is on the way.
(There is light at the end of the tunnel)
Anei tātou nā ko te pō, anā tātou nā he rā ki tua.
I am not a chiefly person, but rather the reflection of one.
(An expression of humility)
Ehara au i te rangatira engari he ata nō te tangata.
A fitting bellbird.
(She looks good, sounds good, but she flits about everywhere)
He kōpara kai rērere.
My strength is not mine alone, that comes from the collective/from the group.
Ehara taku toa i te toa takitahi, engari he toa takitini.