FREE! Click here to Join FunTrivia. Thousands of games, quizzes, and lots more!

Pacific Island Language Trivia Quiz

This is designed to encourage you to increase your knowledge of other languages. It is based on what I have learned from 13 years in New Zealand, coming from England.

A multiple-choice quiz by saruman. Estimated time: 3 mins.

Author
saruman

Time
3 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
162,388

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Tough

Avg Score
6 / 10

Plays
372

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. The New Zealand Maori word for "love" is? Hint

aloha

aroha

aro'a

talofa

NEXT>

Question 2 of 10

2. A "marae" is a? Hint

pub

church

sports ground

meeting house

NEXT>

Question 3 of 10

3. Of the Northern Cook Island Group, Penrhyn has also a Cook Island name. What is it? Hint

Suwarrow

Manahiki

Rarotonga

Tongareva

NEXT>

Question 4 of 10

4. In standard (Rarotongan) Cook Island Maori the word for "no" is "kare", on which island is it "e'i"?
Hint

Atiu

Mangaia

Suwarrow

Aitutaki

NEXT>

Question 5 of 10

5. Which Pacific island language is most closely related to New Zealand Maori language? Hint

Tongan

Niuean

Samoan

Cook Island Maori

NEXT>

Question 6 of 10

6. What is a "kumara"? Hint

banana

idiot

sweet potato

Australian

NEXT>

Question 7 of 10

7. If you were given a "tivaevae", you would do which of the following with it? Hint

Eat it

Smoke it

Use it as fishing bait

Sleep under it

NEXT>

Question 8 of 10

8. Where would you expect to be greeted with "Talofa"? Hint

Chile

New Zealand

Easter Island

Samoa

NEXT>

Question 9 of 10

9. If a New Zealand Maori requested you to "hongi", would you expect to do? Hint

touch noses

dance

have a traditional feast

go away

NEXT>

Question 10 of 10

10. In the New Zealand Maori language what means "farewell" and is said to the person(s) departing? Hint

hei kona ra

e noho ra

haere ra

hei konei ra

(Optional) Create a Free FunTrivia ID to save the points you are about to earn:

Select a User ID:

Choose a Password:

Your Email:

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. The New Zealand Maori word for "love" is?

Answer: aroha

Across the Pacific the languages vary, but some words are closely related in origin, if not in exact meaning.

2. A "marae" is a?

Answer: meeting house

A "marae" is the traditional meeting place for Maori. Usually, strict protocol is to be observed when invited onto a "marae".

3. Of the Northern Cook Island Group, Penrhyn has also a Cook Island name. What is it?

Answer: Tongareva

Fifteen islands form the Cook Island Group.

4. In standard (Rarotongan) Cook Island Maori the word for "no" is "kare", on which island is it "e'i"?

Answer: Mangaia

My wife is from Mangaia. If anyone wants to argue this one, I'll pass it to her. I hope you can type or speak Mangaian! Mangaia was never conquered because they were too fierce. I know, I am married to one!

5. Which Pacific island language is most closely related to New Zealand Maori language?

Answer: Cook Island Maori

In the Cook Island alphabet the "v" replaces the "w" in New Zealand Maori. The NZ maori "h" is replaced by what is called a "glottal stop", usually represented by an apostrophe, which just means a very short silence where the 'consonant' would be.
Compare the numbers below (number, NZ Maori, CI Maori):

one, "tahi", "ta'i",
two, "rua", "rua",
three, "toru", "toru",
four, "wha", "a",
five, "rima", "rima",
six, "ono", "ono",
seven, "whitu", "itu",
eight, "waru", "varu",
nine, "iva", "iva".

6. What is a "kumara"?

Answer: sweet potato

"Kumara" is thought to have been transported from Peru to the Pacific Islands.

7. If you were given a "tivaevae", you would do which of the following with it?

Answer: Sleep under it

"Tivaevae" is a traditional art form of the Cook Islands. A form of applique bedspread, usually sewn by hand, used as a wedding gift.

8. Where would you expect to be greeted with "Talofa"?

Answer: Samoa

Very similar to the Hawaiian "Aloha".

9. If a New Zealand Maori requested you to "hongi", would you expect to do?

Answer: touch noses

The "hongi" is, to me, best described as something between a handshake and a kiss, an indication of acceptance.
The feast is a "hangi", food cooked under earth over hot stones, slightly reminiscent of potatoes baked in the ashes of a bonfire, but much better.

10. In the New Zealand Maori language what means "farewell" and is said to the person(s) departing?

Answer: haere ra

"E noho ra", "Hei konei ra" and "Hei kona ra" would be said to the person(s) staying.

Source: Author saruman

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor thejazzkickazz before going online.
Any errors found in FunTrivia content are routinely corrected through our feedback system.