T varies depending on the vowel that follows it.
Before A, E or O it is blunt, somewhere between an English T and D.
Before I and U it is sharp, more like an English T.
ta
te
ti
to
tu
tā
tē
tī
tō
tū
taku
my
teka
dart
tika
to be correct
toka
rock
tuku
to release
tāku
my
tēpu
table
tīpare
headband
tōku
mine
tūru
chair
R is rolled.
ra
re
ri
ro
ru
rā
rē
rī
rō
rū
rata
doctor or to like
rehe
wrinkle
rito
young centre
leaf of harakeke
roto
inside
ruku
dive
rātā
native tree
rēhia
enjoyment
rīwai
potato
rōpū
group
rūrū
handshake
Ng is pronounced as in ‘sing’.
nga
nge
ngi
ngo
ngu
ngata
satisfied
ngete
to urge on
ngiha
burning/fire
ngongo
to suck/suck up
ngutu
lips
English speakers can find 't', 'r' and 'ng' difficult to pronounce in te reo Māori. Click on the boxes to hear the pronunciation of words that feature these consonants.
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