Directions

1. Tei hea te 'ē'a?

   Where is the road / path?

   Usage

   Basic phrase to ask for the way or road

   Grammar Note

   'ē'a is "chemin ; sentier ; voie". Location is asked with Tei hea, not No hea ("from where").

2. I ni'a

   Up

   Usage

   Used to indicate an upward direction

   Grammar Note

   ni'a carries a glottal stop; i ni'a / i raro are paired expressions for up and down.

3. I raro

   Down

   Usage

   Used to indicate a downward direction

   Grammar Note

   i ni'a / i raro are paired directional expressions

4. I muri

   Behind / Backward

   Usage

   Used to indicate direction behind or backward

   Grammar Note

   muri also refers to the future in temporal contexts

5. I mua

   Forward / Straight ahead

   Usage

   Used to indicate forward or straight ahead

   Grammar Note

   mua also refers to the past in temporal contexts

6. 'Ātea

   Far

   Usage

   Distance only; "deep" is a different word, hōhonu, and cannot be expressed with 'ātea

   Grammar Note

   ātea = distant ; loin. hohonu means only "profond" (deep) and cannot express distance.

7. E hia miniti e rave ai?

   How many minutes does it take?

   Usage

   Used to ask how long a journey takes

   Grammar Note

   miniti is an English borrowing; use hora ("hour") or show the number on your fingers if you need certainty.

8. I tai

   Toward the sea / coast side

   Usage

   Polynesian directional term meaning toward the sea

   Grammar Note

   tai and uta (inland) form the basic Polynesian directional system

9. I uta

   Inland / Toward the mountains

   Usage

   Polynesian directional term meaning toward the inland mountains

   Grammar Note

   Island navigation often uses uta/tai instead of compass points

10. 'A haere noa i mua

    Go straight ahead

    Usage

    Telling someone to continue straight when giving directions

    Grammar Note

    The imperative is 'A + verb; noa means "just, straight on".

11. 'atau

    Right

    Usage

    For taxis and directions — one word stays readable while moving

12. 'aui

    Left

    Usage

    For taxis and directions

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