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ka pai
/ ˌkə ˈpaɪ /
sentence substitute
- good! well done!
yvlog History and Origins
Origin of ka pai1
Example Sentences
The convenient "mana," which covers prestige, authority, and personal magnetism; "wharé," a rough hut; "taihoa," equivalent to the Mexican manana; and "ka pai," "'tis good," are exceptions.
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More About Ka Pai
What does ka pai mean?
Ka pai is a ǰ exclamation that means well done or congratulations, as in You won the race—ka pai!
In Te Aka ǰ, the language of the ǰ people, ka pai is used as a congratulations. The term is normally used as an interjection or a sentence replacement. In English, you might say, “Congratulations!” or “Good job!”
Ka pai is also used sarcastically, as in Eli missed the train because he refuses to look at a clock. Ka pai. In this case, you might hear ka pai translated to mean “serves them right” or “they deserved it.”
Example: We really enjoyed the show. Ka pai!
Where does ka pai come from?
The first records of the term ka pai in English come from around the 1830s. It is a ǰ term meaning “good, fine.” ǰ is the language of the indigenous Polynesian people of New Zealand.
The ǰ people are the native inhabitants of modern-day New Zealand. Their language, Te Aka ǰ, started to fade in use and popularity with the arrival of white people. In the late 1900s, however, Te Aka ǰ started to be taught and was recognized as an official language of New Zealand in 1987. Ka pai is one of the most frequently borrowed phrases from Te Aka ǰ.
Did you know ... ?
What are some synonyms for ka pai?
What are some words that often get used in discussing ka pai?
How is ka pai used in real life?
In English, ka pai is almost always used informally and as an exclamation.
The track six-eight instrumental from new album is bloody wonderful. Ka Pai!
— Tape Face (@TapeFaceBoy)
Ka pai New Zealand!🥇🥈🥉 To celebrate, we’re bringing something sweet back on board for a limited time 👀 Can you guess what it is?
— Air New Zealand ✈️ (@FlyAirNZ)
My email signature now has a greeting in te reo/Maori. So many people from all around the world are now taking the time to find out what Ngā mihi means, and some are even going so far as to reply in Maori! Ka pai!
— Ben Kepes (@benkepes)
Updated on
Try using ka pai!
True or False?
Ka pai is from the Tagalog language.
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