Here's why and some alternative ways to express the idea:
Cultural differences: Māori culture emphasizes respect and politeness. Direct compliments about someone's physical appearance are often considered inappropriate, especially if you don't know the person well.
Alternatives:
* If you want to say someone is physically attractive, you could use a phrase like:
* "He/She is beautiful/handsome" - *Ko ia he/he wahine ataahua/tane ataahua*
* If you want to express that someone is "hot" in the sense of being exciting or interesting, you could say:
* "He/She is exciting/interesting" - *He/He tane/wahine whakaongaonga/whakahihiri*
Remember: The best way to convey your meaning is to use appropriate language and context, keeping in mind the cultural nuances of the Māori language.