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What does wa mean in maori?

"Wa" in Māori has several meanings depending on context. It's a very versatile word and can be used as a prefix, suffix, or stand alone. Here are some common meanings:

As a prefix:

* "Wa"- meaning "space, time, place, position"

* Examples:

* "Waatea" (open space)

* "Waimarie" (good fortune, a fortunate time)

* "Waipounamu" (greenstone, meaning "greenstone place")

As a suffix:

* "-wa"- meaning "act, state, condition, manner"

* Examples:

* "Tangiwa" (mourning, meaning "act of mourning")

* "Pukawa" (growing, meaning "state of growing")

* "Rerewa" (flying, meaning "condition of flying")

As a standalone word:

* "Wa" can mean "time" or "period"

* Example:

* "He wa nui" (a long time)

* "Wa ora" (healing time)

Other meanings:

* "Wa" can also be used in the context of:

* "Wahi" (place, location)

* "Waewae" (feet)

* "Waka" (canoe)

It's important to remember that the meaning of "wa" depends heavily on the context of the sentence or phrase.

To truly understand the meaning of "wa" in a specific case, it's best to consider the surrounding words and the overall context of the sentence.

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