whai

Maori

Pronunciation
  • IPA(key): /ɸa.i/, [fɐ.i]

Etymology 1

From Proto-Polynesian *fai, from Proto-Oceanic *paʀi, from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *paʀih, from Proto-Austronesian *paʀiS (“stingray”).

Noun

whai

  1. stingray
  2. skate (fish of family Rajidae)
Derived terms
  • whai keo
  • whai manu
  • whai repo
  • whai uku

Etymology 2

From Proto-Eastern Polynesian *fai (“to follow”).

Noun

whai

  1. pursuit

Verb

whai (passive whāia)

  1. to follow, chase, pursue
  2. to look for, search

References
  • “whai” in John C. Moorfield, Te Aka: Maori–English, English–Maori Dictionary and Index, 3rd edition, Longman/Pearson Education New Zealand, 2011, →ISBN.
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