Māori Grammar

Kia has a variety of uses, one of which is as a mild imperative most commonly seen in the expressions kia ora and kia kaha:

Kia ora!
May you be well!

Kia kaha!
May you be strong!

This expresses a desired state or a wish for a certain outcome.

Often, a command is given by adding a passive ending to a transitive verb:

Horioa!
Wash!

Tapahia!
Chop!

However, statives cannot take a passive ending, and so a command cannot be given in this way. Instead, a command with a stative (including ora and kaha) uses kia:

Kia tūpato!
Be careful!

Kia mākona!
Be satisfied!

See also:

• Statives - mate, ngaro, mau...

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Hello

kia ora

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Hello friend!

kia ora e hoa

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Let there be one cup of sugar (kia)

kia

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I am careful about eating sugar lest I die of diabetes

tūpato as a stative

Kia au tō moe.
Have a sound sleep.

Kia manawanui!
Be careful

Kia mauritau!
Be relaxed!

Kia pai te rā.
Have a good day.

Kia pai tētahi ki tētahi!
Be good to each other!

Kia tere mai!
Hurry up!

Kia manawanui tāua.
Let us be patient.

Kia piki te ora ki a koe.
May you be in perfect health.

Kia tū māia!
Let's be brave!

Kia tika āu raina.
Make your lines straight.

Kia whakapapa pounamu te moana.
May the sea be like greenstone.

Kia haumaru te haere.
Have a safe trip.

Kia tere te tīmata.
Start quickly.

Kia kaha ki te mahi!
Work hard!

Kia karakia tātou
Let us do an incantation.

Kia hāneanea te noho.
Have a comfortable stay.

Kia tere ake tō oma.
Run faster.

Kia taka pea koe i runga i te hōiho!
I hope you fall off your horse.

Kia mahara ki te hē o Rona!
Let us remember the sin of Rona!

Kia mā te wāhi e mahi ai kōrua.
Your work area should be clean.

Kia hāparangi te waha!
Shout it!

Kia hora te marino.
May peace be widespread.