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Te Reo Māori for Absolute Beginners • Lesson 7 of 8
Kei Hea?
Where is it?
Learn to say here and there, describe where objects are, ask where someone is going and follow simple directions.
Whāinga AkoLearning goals
By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:
Say here and there
Choose konei, konā or korā according to distance.
Describe position
Say that something is on, under, inside, outside, in front or behind.
Ask about movement
Recognise the difference between kei hea? and ki hea?
Respect places
Understand that place names and local spaces carry histories and tikanga.
Here, There and Over There
The correct word depends on the place’s relationship to the speaker and listener.
Kei konei
It is here, near the speakerKei konā
It is there, near the listenerKei korā
It is over there, away from bothNgā Kupu Tūwāhi
Location words. Use them in the pattern Kei [position] i te [object].
| Word | Meaning | Example | Listen |
|---|---|---|---|
| runga | above / on top | Kei runga i te tēpu.It is on the table. | |
| raro | below / underneath | Kei raro i te tūru.It is under the chair. | |
| roto | inside | Kei roto i te pouaka.It is inside the box. | |
| waho | outside | Kei waho o te whare.It is outside the house. | |
| mua | in front | Kei mua i te whare.It is in front of the house. | |
| muri | behind | Kei muri i te rākau.It is behind the tree. | |
| taha | side / beside | Kei te taha o te tatau.It is beside the door. |
Where Is the Object?
Ask with Kei hea?, then answer with a position phrase.
Kei Hea?, Ki Hea?, Nō Hea?
The particle changes the kind of location question.
Simple Directions
Listen to each instruction, then move or point in the correct direction.
A Short Conversation
Read the English directly beneath each line, then practise both parts.
He Wāhi, He Ingoa
A place and a name. Māori place names can carry histories, relationships and knowledge of the whenua.
Tikanga: Knowing Where You Are
Location is practical, but every place also has people, histories and appropriate ways of behaving.
Follow your hosts
On a marae or in a new community space, ask where to go and follow the guidance of hau kāinga or the people responsible.
Respect boundaries
Some rooms, sites or areas may not be open to visitors. A direction is not permission to enter every space.
Honour place names
Use the correct name and macrons. Ask local people for pronunciation and meaning rather than inventing an explanation.
Whakarongo, Nuku, Kōrero
Listen, move and speak. Practise with objects in the room.
- Three zones: point to places that match konei, konā and korā.
- Move an object: place a book on, under and beside a chair, describing each position.
- Ask and answer: take turns asking Kei hea?
- Choose the particle: decide whether each question needs kei hea, ki hea or nō hea.
- Follow directions: practise forward, left, right and outside safely.
Knowledge Check
Open each question after choosing your answer.
1. Which word means “here, near the speaker”?
Konei, as in Kei konei.
2. How do you say, “It is under the chair”?
Kei raro i te tūru.
3. Which question asks about a destination?
Ki hea? means “where to?”
4. What does “Huri ki te mauī” mean?
Turn left.
5. Why should you ask before entering an unfamiliar area?
Because places can have boundaries and tikanga, and a visitor should follow the guidance of hosts or responsible people.