| Kupu | Brief description |
| ako(na) | learn, teach |
| whakarongo | listen |
| waiata(tia) | to sing, song |
| pānui(tia) | to read, a notice |
| tuhi(a) | draw, write |
| mōhio(tia) | know |
| kōrero(tia) | talk/speak |
| ki tōku nei mōhio | to my knowledge |
| pātai(tia) | question, to ask a question |
| whakamārama(tia) | to explain |
| whai (whāia) | to follow, to chase, to pursue |
| mahi(a) | to do, work, make |
| maumahara(tia) | remember |
| titiro (tirohia) | look |
| manaaki(tia) | look after, care for, show respect or kindness to |
| hui | to gather, assemble, a meeting |
| tikanga | custom |
| kawa | protocol |
| mārama | to understand |
| whiwhi | to receive, to be awarded |
| rongo (rangona) | hear, smell, taste, feel |
| kite(a) | to see, find |
| wāhanga | part, portion, section/ chapter, episode |
| iwi | tribe |
| tuakana | elder sibling (of the same sex) |
| teina | younger sibling (of the same sex) |
| wānanga | place of higher learning |
| kura | school |
| tika | to be right, correct, straight, in order |
| mātauranga | knowledge, understanding, education |
| Whāia te iti kahurangi! | Strive for something of great value! |
| Mō taku hē! | I'm sorry! My bad! |
| pōwhiri(tia) / pōhiri(tia) | to welcome, a welcoming ceremony |
| inu(mia) | to drink |
| ngeru | cat |
| whiri(a) | braid |
| Kua pau te hau! | I’m exhausted! |
| Tūwhitia te hopo, mairangatia te angitū! | Feel the fear and do it anyway! |
| Namunamuā! | Yummy! |
| He kanohi kitea, ka hoki ngā mahara. | A familiar face stirs the memory. |
| Kāore he painga i a koe mō te whakakatakata! | No one beats you at being funny! |
| Kei tua o Tāwauwau ia. | He/she is off with the fairies. |
| mauri tau | relax / chill / calm / without panic |
| Kua pau te wā. Kei a au te wā. | Time is up. My turn. |
| e hia kē mai nei | what a lot of |
| ahakoa he aha | no matter what, anyhow |
| E hika mā! | Crikey! |
| puku te rae | angry, enraged |
| e mea ana koe | are you suggesting |
| hoea tō waka | go for it! please yourself! |