* Prefix: "Ma" can be a prefix meaning "in" or "at." For example, "ma te whare" means "in the house."
* Particle: "Ma" can also be a particle used to indicate purpose or function, similar to "for" or "to" in English. For example, "Ma te tamaiti te kai" means "The food is for the child."
* Short form: "Ma" can be a short form of "mā," which is used to express respect or politeness. For example, "Ma te rangatira" means "With respect to the chief."
There is no Māori word specifically for "ma" (as in the color "mauve"). The closest equivalent would be "māmā," which means "pale" or "light."