General
mahi
What does mahi mean?
Work or the effort put into a task; increasingly used in general Kiwi speech, as in 'do the mahi'.
"Put in the mahi now and it'll pay off later."
Origin
From Māori 'mahi' (work); adopted into everyday New Zealand English.
Frequently asked questions
What does mahi mean?
Mahi is the Māori word for work or effort, and in New Zealand it's used to mean the graft you put into a task, as in 'do the mahi'.
What does 'do the mahi' mean?
It means put in the hard work or effort, often with the idea that doing so will pay off later.
Is mahi used in everyday New Zealand English?
Yes, it's increasingly common in casual Kiwi speech, not just in te reo Māori.
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