Numbers in Māori
Te Reo Māori
Numbers in Māori follow a vigesimal (base-20) system, which is common among Polynesian languages. Spoken by about 148,000 people mainly in New Zealand, Māori is part of the Austronesian family. Its counting system is unique because it combines units and twenties in a logical pattern, such as 'tekau mā whitu' for 17 or 'rua tekau' for 20. The language's numbers reflect cultural significance and traditional counting methods. Understanding these patterns reveals the deep connection between language and Māori heritage. This article explores the full range of numbers in Māori, from 1 to 1000, with explanations of their formation and cultural context.
Number system
Māori counting is primarily vigesimal, meaning it uses 20 as a key multiplier. Numbers 1-9 are unique words: tahi (1), rua (2), toru (3), whā (4), rima (5), ono (6), whitu (7), waru (8), iwa (9). Tens are formed by placing the digit before 'tekau' (10): rua tekau (20), toru tekau (30), whā tekau (40), and so forth. Compound numbers like tekau mā whitu (17) combine ten and units with 'mā' (and). For example, 42 is 'rua tekau mā whā' (2×20 + 4), and 78 is 'whitu tekau mā waru' (7×10 + 8). Hundreds are formed by placing the multiplier before 'rau' (hundred): kotahi rau (100), rua rau (200). Larger numbers like 1,000 are 'kotahi mano' (one thousand), and 1,000,000 is 'kotahi miriona'. The system is consistent, combining units, twenties, hundreds, and thousands in a logical pattern.
Number list (29)
Counting rules
Counting units from 1 to 9
Numbers 1-9 are unique words: tahi (1), rua (2), toru (3), whā (4), rima (5), ono (6), whitu (7), waru (8), iwa (9). For example, 3 is 'toru', and 7 is 'whitu'.
Forming the tens
Tens are formed by placing the digit before 'tekau'. For example, 20 is 'rua tekau', 30 is 'toru tekau', and 50 is 'rima tekau'. 10 itself is 'tekau'.
Constructing compound numbers
Numbers like 17 are 'tekau mā whitu' (10 + 7), and 23 is 'rua tekau mā toru' (2×20 + 3). The 'mā' means 'and' and links the tens and units.
Forming hundreds
Hundreds are formed by placing the multiplier before 'rau'. For example, 100 is 'kotahi rau', 300 is 'toru rau', and 600 is 'ono rau'.
Building larger numbers
Thousands are formed by placing the digit before 'mano' (thousand): 1,000 is 'kotahi mano', 2,000 is 'rua mano'. Larger numbers like 1,000,000 are 'kotahi miriona'.
Use of 'tahi' and 'kotahi'
When multiplying by 1, 'tahi' is replaced with 'kotahi' for accuracy. For example, 100 is 'kotahi rau', 1,000 is 'kotahi mano', and 1,000,000 is 'kotahi miriona'.
Unique features
Numbers like 17 are 'tekau mā whitu', combining ten and seven with 'mā', not a separate word for seventeen. For example, 17 = 'tekau mā whitu'.
Unlike many languages, Māori uses a vigesimal system, similar to other Polynesian languages like Tahitian, but with its own unique words and structure.
A surprising pattern is that for 100, 'kotahi rau', the word 'tahi' (one) is replaced by 'kotahi' for precision, even in larger numbers like 1,000 ('kotahi mano').
Large numbers like 1 million ('kotahi miriona') and 1 billion ('kotahi piriona') are borrowed terms adapted into Māori, reflecting modern numerical concepts.
The language incorporates cultural elements, such as the use of 'mā' for 'and', which emphasizes the additive nature of the number formation.
Cultural context
The Māori people, indigenous to New Zealand, number about 148,000 speakers. Their language reflects their rich cultural heritage, with numbers often appearing in traditional ceremonies, navigation, and storytelling. Counting is deeply connected to their worldview, emphasizing relationships and natural cycles. Certain numbers, like 4 ('wā') and 9 ('iwa'), hold cultural significance, though no specific taboos are widely documented. Māori counting methods preserve ancient Polynesian traditions, blending practical use with cultural identity. In daily life, numbers are used in land transactions, whakapapa (genealogy), and ceremonial contexts, reinforcing community bonds and ancestral connections.
Fun facts
Fact 1: The number 42 in Māori is 'rua tekau mā whā', literally 2×20 + 4, illustrating the vigesimal system.
Fact 2: Māori's vigesimal system is similar to the French 'quatre-vingt' (80), but Māori uses a different structure with 'mā' for addition.
Fact 3: The word 'tekau' (10) appears in all multiples of ten, showing a consistent pattern in forming numbers like 30 ('toru tekau') and 90 ('iwa tekau').
Fact 4: The use of 'kotahi' for 100 and larger numbers reflects a linguistic emphasis on precision and cultural importance of the number one.
Fact 5: Māori has developed terms for very large numbers like 'miriona' (million) and 'piriona' (billion), borrowed from Western languages, integrating modern concepts into traditional language.
Frequently asked questions
How do you count to 10 in Māori?
1 - tahi, 2 - rua, 3 - toru, 4 - whā, 5 - rima, 6 - ono, 7 - whitu, 8 - waru, 9 - iwa, 10 - tekau.
What number base does Māori use?
Māori uses a vigesimal (base-20) system, evidenced by 20 being 'rua tekau', 30 'toru tekau', and compound numbers like 42 'rua tekau mā whā'.
How do you say 42 in Māori?
42 is 'rua tekau mā whā', which means 2×20 plus 4, following the pattern of tens plus units linked by 'mā'.
How do you say 100 in Māori?
100 is 'kotahi rau', where 'rau' means hundred and 'kotahi' emphasizes the singularity for accuracy.
How many people speak Māori?
Approximately 148,000 people speak Māori, mainly in New Zealand where it is an official language alongside English.
Is Māori related to other languages?
Yes, Māori belongs to the Austronesian language family, specifically the Eastern Polynesian branch, related to Tahitic languages.
What makes Māori counting unique?
Its vigesimal system, combining units and twenties with 'mā', and the use of 'kotahi' for 100 and larger numbers, reflect a distinctive Polynesian counting tradition.