Talking about our feelings in Te Reo
Discover some simple phrases for sharing where you're at and have a kōrero.
Talking about our feelings - Te kōrero mō ngā kare ā-roto - is so important for our mental wellbeing.
It helps us to process our emotions when we acknowledge them and say them out loud. And, when we share how we’re feeling with people, it can build a sense of connection and allow us to give and receive the support we need.
In the Māori model for wellbeing, your emotional wellbeing is called Taha Hinengaro.
Taha Hinengaro is about being able to express and process what you’re going through. It is a key part of your Hauora (health and wellbeing).
So let’s learn some simple ways to talk about how we’re feeling in Te Reo Māori.
To check in with someone and see how they’re doing, it starts with:
Kei te pēhea koe? How are you?
Here are some ways to explain how you are:
Kei te pai au ⏤ I am good
Kei te harikoa au ⏤ I am happy
Kei te pōuri au ⏤ I am sad
Kei te riri au ⏤ I am angry
Kei te hōhā au ⏤ I am bored/fed up
Kei te āmaimai au ⏤ I am nervous/anxious/tense
Kei te āwangawanga au ⏤ I am worried
Kei te āio au ⏤ I am calm
Kei te mauiui ahau ⏤ I am unwell
In response, to someone sharing their feelings with you, you could say:
Kia mau! ⏤ Hang in there!
Kia kaha! ⏤ Stay strong!
Anō te pai! ⏤ That’s great, fantastic!
tēnā koa tiaki ia koe ⏤ Take care of yourself
Kei runga noa atu ⏤ Onwards and upwards
Learn some of these descriptions and then take time to have a korero (talk) with the people in your world and begin to share your feelings.
To learn more about the key elements that make up the Māori model for wellbeing - Te Whare Tapa Whā, and how they connect to Mentemia’s six pillar model, read Te Whare Tapa Whā and Mentemia’s six pillars of mental wellbeing.