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EDIT 2: "Mata Hari" actually means sun, not sunrise. So everywhere that I've written sunrise just replace it with sun. Thanks for the help with that Bingley.

'Mata Hari' means 'sunrise' in Indonesian. It would probably literally translate to something like "eye of the day" or something, 'mata' being the word for 'eye' and 'hari' being the word for 'day'. Just thought people might be interested (sorry about starting a new topic for this, there was no topic on the word at the time as far as I know, unless I am working the forums wrong and it was hiding somewhere).

EDIT: Not sure if this is also relevant, but the word mata is also used to say what subjects are being studied, i.e. "mata pelajaran saya..." I think would translate roughly to "the subjects of my studies..., ("saya meaning "my," "pelajaran," being "studies (I think)". I'm not sure about this one, or how "mata" fits in. Maybe if there's someone who's done more than just high school Indonesian here they will be able clarify?)Just thinking that if there's another meaning of "mata" it could change the literal translation of "sunrise."

Last edited by Mit; 06/10/09 03:57 AM.
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This is the perfect place for it and it's nice to hear beyond the simple story. I, for one, always like to hear more about name origins. Welcome aBoard.

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Welcome aBoard.

Yep, I agree!
Mata has the same meaning in Cook Island Maori, Eyes. There is another. Mata Can also mean the face. As in: Mataora, 'lively face', or, Happy! smile

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Remembering my Dutch-Indonesian friend, bless his soul.

tanda mata : souvenir , keepsake, remembrance
main mata ( pronounce ma-een mata): to flirt
mata mata moesoeh: the eyes of the enemy

The Indonesians double the word for plural.


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Originally Posted By: olly
Welcome aBoard.

Yep, I agree!
Mata has the same meaning in Cook Island Maori, Eyes. There is another. Mata Can also mean the face. As in: Mataora, 'lively face', or, Happy! smile


Dr Ranginui Walker once listed more than 20 meanings for "mata" in NZ Māori during a discussion on the limitations of a small consonant set.

Last edited by latishya; 06/09/09 11:28 PM.
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Originally Posted By: olly
Welcome aBoard.

Yep, I agree!
Mata has the same meaning in Cook Island Maori, Eyes. There is another. Mata Can also mean the face. As in: Mataora, 'lively face', or, Happy! smile


I have recently met a man from New Zealand, and greet him each time with Kia Ora. Just thought you'd like
to know since you told me the term.


----please, draw me a sheep----
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>>'Mata Hari' means 'sunrise' in Indonesian.<<

No, it doesn't, it means 'sun'. Sunrise would be 'terbit matahari', though it's not common. Far more common is 'fajar', meaning 'dawn'(quite a common man's name).

Another meaning of 'mata': point (of a needle, dagger, etc.)

In compounds 'mata' often means something like 'item', e.g., mata acara agenda item, mata belanja budget item, mata pelajaran subject of study.

Some other compounds with 'mata': mata kaki ankle (lit. eye of the foot/leg), mata kayu wood knot (lit. eye of wood/timber), (telur) mata sapi fried egg (lit. bull's/cow's eye), mata susu nipple (lit. milk eye), mata uang currency (lit. money eye)


Bingley
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Originally Posted By: Bingley
>>'Mata Hari' means 'sunrise' in Indonesian.<<

No, it doesn't, it means 'sun'. Sunrise would be 'terbit matahari', though it's not common. Far more common is 'fajar', meaning 'dawn'(quite a common man's name).

Another meaning of 'mata': point (of a needle, dagger, etc.)

In compounds 'mata' often means something like 'item', e.g., mata acara agenda item, mata belanja budget item, mata pelajaran subject of study.

Some other compounds with 'mata': mata kaki ankle (lit. eye of the foot/leg), mata kayu wood knot (lit. eye of wood/timber), (telur) mata sapi fried egg (lit. bull's/cow's eye), mata susu nipple (lit. milk eye), mata uang currency (lit. money eye)


Oops. Sorry. Like I said, High School Indonesian. I'll edit my post and fix it.

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Kia Ora

Meitaki Luke. Thank you

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Originally Posted By: olly
Kia Ora

Meitaki Luke. Thank you


Is meitaki used as thank you in Cook Island Maori? My Rarotongan friends told me it was roughly equivalent to kapai in New Zealand Māori. If I practice my tiny bit of NZ Māori on them with "kei te pehea koe?" They all answer, "meitaki".

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