Maori · speaking
Learn to speak Maori
A practical plan for learning to speak Maori. Speaking is a skill you build by speaking, so the plan starts with saying sentences on day one.
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Updated · by the 4ToSpeak team
Maori · lesson preview
Step 4Kia ora
Hello
- Order
- Translate
- Listen
- Speak
Say it out loud. Green landed, yellow was close.
Start freeYour 30-day plan
- 1
Week 1: sounds and greetings
Say hello (Kia ora) and thank you (Ngā mihi) until they feel natural. Learn the sounds that differ from English, and say ten short sentences about yourself.
- 2
Week 2: everyday requests
Learn to order, ask the price, ask where things are and say you do not understand. Build each as a full sentence and say it three times.
- 3
Week 3: questions and answers
Practise question words and the answers to them. Listen to each Maori sentence first, then say it, then compare.
- 4
Week 4: short exchanges
Chain sentences into a mini conversation: greet, introduce yourself, ask a question, answer one. Record yourself and listen back.
What speaking Maori involves
Maori uses the Latin alphabet, so you can read and sound out words from day one.
Maori sits in the harder band for English speakers. Different grammar, sounds or script from English.
Daily routine that works
- Ten to twenty minutes, same time every day.
- Say everything out loud, even when alone.
- Learn whole sentences, not isolated words.
- Repeat yesterday's sentences before learning new ones.
- After a couple of weeks, find a conversation partner or tutor and use what you have practised. At 30 minutes a day, Maori reaches working proficiency in roughly 6 years, and you will be speaking well before that.
Can I learn to speak Maori by myself?
Yes, for the basics. With daily practice you can learn pronunciation, vocabulary and common sentences alone. Conversation with a native speaker or tutor helps you apply it once you can say a handful of sentences.
How do I practise speaking Maori alone?
Read sentences aloud, shadow audio, answer simple questions out loud and record yourself. 4ToSpeak's speaking step listens through your microphone and marks each word as right, close or missed.
How long to learn to speak Maori basics?
With 15 to 30 minutes a day, most people can handle greetings and simple everyday exchanges in Maori within a month or two.
What is the best app to learn to speak Maori?
Look for one where you say whole sentences out loud and get specific feedback. 4ToSpeak runs every Maori sentence through order, translate, listen and speak, and the free plan needs no card.
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Free · no card · 77 languages
Say your first Maori sentence
Free to start. No card. Pick a sentence and say it.