ao

From Proto-Polynesian *qaho. Cognates include Hawaiian ao and Samoan ao.


ao

From Proto-Polynesian *ao. Cognates include Maori ao and Samoan ao.


ao

From Proto-Nuclear Polynesian *qao. Cognates include Maori ao and Samoan ao.

(intransitive) to be good at gathering food


alo

From Proto-Polynesian *qaro. Cognates include Hawaiian alo and Samoan alo.


alo

From Proto-Polynesian *qalo. Cognates include Tuvaluan alo and Samoan alo.


au

From Proto-Polynesian *aqu. Cognates include Tongan aʻu and Samoan au.


lava

From Proto-Polynesian *lawa. Cognates include Hawaiian lawa and Samoan lava.


mate

From Proto-Polynesian *mate. Cognates include Hawaiian make and Samoan mate.


mate

From Proto-Polynesian *mate. Cognates include Tongan mate and Samoan mate.


tau

From Proto-Polynesian *tau. Cognates include Tongan tou and Samoan tau.


tau

From Proto-Polynesian *tau. Cognates include Tongan tau and Samoan tau.


tau

From Proto-Polynesian *tau. Cognates include Maori tau and Samoan tau.


tau

From Proto-Polynesian *tau. Cognates include Tuvaluan tau and Samoan tau.


tau

Only used in tau ma (“to be fed up with”)


papa

From Proto-Polynesian *papa (“flat surface”). Cognates include Hawaiian papa and Maori papa.


papa

From Proto-Polynesian *papa (“fish”). Cognates include Maori pā and Samoan papa.

(intransitive) to group together into a school


lagi

From Proto-Polynesian *laŋi. Cognates include Maori rangi and Samoan lagi.


ono

From Proto-Polynesian *ono. Cognates include Hawaiian ono and Samoan ono.


pehe

From Proto-Polynesian *pese. Cognates include Tahitian pehe and Samoan pese.


lua

From Proto-Polynesian *rua, from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *luaŋ. Cognates include Hawaiian lua and Samoan lua.


lua

From Proto-Polynesian *lua. Cognates include Tongan lua and Samoan lua.


ilo

From Proto-Polynesian *qilo. Cognates include Tongan ʻilo and Niuean ilo.

(transitive, of food) to check (if something is done)


ala

From Proto-Polynesian *hala. Cognates include Hawaiian ala and Samoan ala.


ala

From Proto-Polynesian *qara. Cognates include Hawaiian ala and Samoan ala.

(stative, of watercraft) to be close to the wind


kai

From Proto-Polynesian *kai. Cognates include Hawaiian ʻai and Samoan 'ai.


lima

From Proto-Polynesian *lima. Cognates include Hawaiian lima and Samoan lima.


tala

From Proto-Polynesian *tala. Cognates include Hawaiian kala and Samoan tala.


tala

(transitive) to let a pharmacist make (a drug)


tala

From Proto-Polynesian *tala. Cognates include Maori tara and Samoan tara.


ana

From Proto-Polynesian *qana. Cognates include Hawaiian ana and Samoan ana.

(intransitive, + i) to live, dwell (in caves)


logo

From Proto-Polynesian *roŋo. Cognates include Hawaiian lono and Samoan logo.


aka

From Proto-Polynesian *qaka. Cognates include Tuvaluan aka and Samoan a'a.

(transitive, weaving) to weave (a skirt) by holding the weaving string on the foot


mata

From Proto-Polynesian *mata. Cognates include Hawaiian maka and Samoan mata.


fale

From Proto-Polynesian *fale. Cognates include Hawaiian hale and Samoan fale.


tuku

From Proto-Polynesian *tuku. Cognates include Hawaiian kuʻu and Samoan tuʻu.


lelei

From Proto-Polynesian *lelei. Cognates include Tuvaluan lelei and Samoan lelei.


iva

From Proto-Polynesian *hiwa. Cognates include Hawaiian iwa and Samoan iva.


oho

From Proto-Polynesian *qoso. Cognates include Tongan ʻoho and Samoan oso.

(intransitive, of celestial bodies) to rise

(intransitive, of emotions) to arise; to flare up


hau

From Proto-Polynesian *saqu. Cognates include Tuvaluan sau and Samoan sau.

E hau au mai Tokelau.


lele

From Proto-Polynesian *lele. Cognates include Hawaiian lele and Samoan lele.


vae

From Proto-Polynesian *waqe. Cognates include Hawaiian wae and Samoan vae.


vae

From Proto-Polynesian *wahe. Cognates include Maori wae and Samoan vae.


ata

From Proto-Polynesian *ata. Cognates include Hawaiian aka, Maori ata, and Samoan ata.


tō

From Proto-Polynesian *toqo. Cognates include Tongan toˈo and Samoan to.

(intransitive) to set (go down the horizon)


tō

From Proto-Polynesian *to. Cognates include Hawaiian kō and Samoan tō.


tō

(transitive) to sing the starting note of


tipi

From Proto-Polynesian *tipi. Cognates include Hawaiian kipi (“to dig”) and Samoan tipi (“axe”).


mala

From Proto-Polynesian *mala. Cognates include Hawaiian mala and Samoan mala.


tū

From Proto-Polynesian *tuqu. Cognates include Hawaiian ku and Samoan tū.

(intransitive, + ki) to stand (by someone)

(intransitive, of fishing lines) to reach the bottom


tū

(intransitive, of firestone fires) to be kindled


tapu

From Proto-Polynesian *tapu. Cognates include Hawaiian kapu and Samoan tapu.


pili

From Proto-Nuclear Polynesian *pili. Cognates include Hawaiian pili and Tuvaluan pili.


fai

From Proto-Polynesian *fai. Cognates include Maori whai and Samoan fai.


fai

From Proto-Polynesian *fai. Cognates include Tongan fai and Samoan fai.


gali

From Proto-Polynesian *ŋali. Cognates include Hawaiian nani and Maori ngari.


gali

From Proto-Polynesian *ŋali. Cognates include Hawaiian nali and Samoan gali.


tolu

From Proto-Polynesian *tolu. Cognates include Hawaiian kolu and Samoan tolu.


oti

From Proto-Polynesian *qoti. Cognates include Hawaiian oki and Samoan oti.


matua

From Proto-Polynesian *matuqa (“mature”). Cognates include Tuvaluan matua and Rapa Nui matu'a.

(stative) to be matured (ready for picking)


tā

From Proto-Polynesian *ta. Cognates include Hawaiian kā and Samoan tā.

(transitive) to build (a house or a canoe)

(transitive) to play (a musical instrument)

(transitive) to fish for (a school of fish)

(transitive, + ki) to tie (a rope) around


loto

From Proto-Polynesian *loto. Cognates include Tongan loto and Samoan loto.


alofa

From Proto-Polynesian *qarofa. Cognates include Samoan alofa and Hawaiian aloha.


ota

From Proto-Polynesian *qota (“raw”). Cognates include Maori ota and Samoan ota.


ota

(transitive) to order (request some product)


tahi

From Proto-Polynesian *tasi. Cognates include Hawaiian kahi and Samoan tasi.


hama

From Proto-Polynesian *sama. Cognates include Samoan sama and Fijian sama.

(intransitive) to shine one's body by rubbing coconut oil on it


vili

head

vili (plural fetuli or fētutuli or taufetuli)

fetuli (plural)
fētutuli (plural)
taufetuli (plural)

From Proto-Nuclear Polynesian *wiliwili. Cognates include Emae viriviri and Wallisian vili.


vili

From Proto-Polynesian *wili. Cognates include Hawaiian wili and Samoan vili.


vili

From Proto-Polynesian *wili. Cognates include Tongan vili and Samoan vili.


fano

From Proto-Polynesian *fano. Cognates include Maori whano and Samoan fano.


hā

From Proto-Polynesian *saqa. Cognates include Maori hā and Samoan sā.


fiti

From Proto-Polynesian *fiti. Cognates include Maori whiti and Samoan fiti.


fā

From Proto-Polynesian *fa. Cognates include Hawaiian hā and Samoan fā.


hē

From Proto-Polynesian *se. Cognates include Maori hē and Samoan sē.

(intransitive) to lose one's way, get lost


lā

From Proto-Polynesian *laqa. Cognates include Hawaiian lā and Samoan lā.


mā

From Proto-Polynesian *ma. Cognates include Tuvaluan maa and Samoan mā.


nā

From Proto-Polynesian *naqa. Cognates include Hawaiian nā and Samoan nā.


galo

From Proto-Polynesian *galo. Cognates include Hawaiian nalo and Samoan galo.


kupu

From Proto-Polynesian *kupu. Cognates include Hawaiian ʻupu and Samoan 'upu.


afe

From Proto-Polynesian *afe₂. Cognates include Samoan afe and Tuvaluan afe


afe

From Proto-Polynesian *afe. Cognates include Samoan afe and Tuvaluan afe.


iloa

From Proto-Polynesian *qilo-a, equivalent to ilo (“to be aware of”) + -a. Cognates include Tongan ʻiloa and Samoan iloa.


tili

From Proto-Polynesian *tili. Cognates include Maori tiri and Samoan tili.


tomua

From Proto-Polynesian *to-muqa. Cognates include Maori tōmua and Samoan tomua.


vali

From Proto-Polynesian *wali. Cognates include Samoan vali and Tuvaluan vali.


atu

From Proto-Polynesian *qatu. Cognates include Tongan ʻotu and Samoan atu.


halu

From Proto-Polynesian *salu. Cognates include Tuvaluan halu and Samoan salu.


kave

From Proto-Polynesian *kawe. Cognates include Hawaiian ʻawe and Samoan 'ave.


valu

From Proto-Polynesian *walu. Cognates include Hawaiian walu and Samoan valu.


valu

From Proto-Polynesian *waru. Cognates include Hawaiian walu and Samoan valu.

(transitive, of breadfruit) to peel; to skin


amene

Learned borrowing from Samoan amene, from Ancient Greek ἀμήν (amḗn).

(intransitive) to conclude a prayer (with an amen)


nofo

From Proto-Polynesian *nofo. Cognates include Hawaiian noho and Maori nofo.

Ko te fakavae tenei e matea i nā nuku ma kafai ona tagata e faifaimea fakatahi, ma nonofo fakatahi i te filemu ma te fiafia.

1948, Tūlāfono fakavae a Tokelau [Constitution of Tokelau], page 1:

This foundation is recognised in the villages and if its people repeatedly do things together, and [if] they live together in peace and happiness.


faga

From Proto-Nuclear Polynesian *faŋa. Cognates include Maori whanga and Samoan faga.


mālie

From Proto-Polynesian *malie. Cognates include Hawaiian mālie and Tuvaluan mālie.


fotu

From Proto-Polynesian *fotu. Cognates include Maori hatu and Samoan fotu.


noa

From Proto-Polynesian *noqa. Cognates include Tuvaluan noa and Samoan noa.


hili

From Proto-Polynesian *sili. Cognates include Rapa Nui hiri and Samoan sili.

E hili ni puhi i lō ni maile.


hili

(transitive) to insert between two surfaces


maui

From Proto-Polynesian *maui (“left”). Cognates include Maori mauī and Rapa Nui maui.


fiafia

From Proto-Polynesian *fiafia. Cognates include Hawaiian hia and Samoan fiafia.


gagana

From Proto-Nuclear Polynesian *ŋaŋana, from Proto-Polynesian *ŋana (“to chatter”). Cognates include Tuvaluan ngangana and Samoan gagana.


fitu

From Proto-Polynesian *fitu. Cognates include Hawaiian hiku and Samoan fitu.


kakā

Probably from Proto-Polynesian *ka (“screech”).


kaukau

From Proto-Polynesian *kau-kau. Cognates include Hawaiian ʻauʻau and Samoan 'au'au.


hiva

From Proto-Polynesian *siwa. Cognates include Maori hiwa and Samoan siva.


tē

From Proto-Polynesian *teqe. Cognates include Maori tee and Samoan tee.


lanu

From Proto-Polynesian *lanu. Cognates include Tongan lanu and Samoan lanu.


lanu

From Proto-Polynesian *ranu. Cognates include Tongan anu and Samoan lanu.


lahi

From Proto-Polynesian *lasi. Cognates include Maori rahi and Samoan lase.


taku

From Proto-Polynesian *taku. Cognates include Maori taku and Samoan ta'u.


uli

From Proto-Polynesian *quli. Cognates include Hawaiian uli and Samoan uli.


paepae

From Proto-Polynesian *pae-pae. Cognates include Maori paepae and Tongan paepae.


vave

From Proto-Polynesian *wawe. Cognates include Hawaiian wawe and Samoan vave.


vā

From Proto-Polynesian *wa. Cognates include Hawaiian wā and Samoan vā.

(stative) to be on bad terms within a relationship


hihi

From Proto-Nuclear Polynesian *sisi. Cognates include Samoan sisi and Tuvaluan hihi.


galue

From Proto-Polynesian *ŋarue. Cognates include Tuvaluan galue and Samoan galue.


māhaga

From Proto-Polynesian *masaŋa (“pair”), from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *pasaŋ. Cognates include Hawaiian māhana and Maori māhanga.


mānava

From Proto-Polynesian *manawa. Cognates include Hawaiian manawa and Samoan mānava.


kofu

From Proto-Polynesian *kofu. Cognates include Rapa Nui kohu and Samoan 'ofu.


hahalu

(transitive) to brush forcefully in one stroke


fofotu

(intransitive, of pimples) to erupt heavily


tafu

From Proto-Polynesian *tafu. Cognates include Hawaiian kahu and Samoan tafu.


tafutafu

(transitive) to fuel (a fire) little by little


takalo

From Proto-Nuclear Polynesian *takalo. Cognates include Hawaiian kāʻalo and Samoan ta'alo.


māvā

From Proto-Nuclear Polynesian *ma-waqa. Cognates include Maori māwā and Tuvaluan maavaa.


fakavae

From Proto-Polynesian *faka-waqe. Cognates include Tuvaluan fakavae and Samoan fa'avae.

Ko Tokelau e fakavae tumau i te Atua.


takutino

Ko kimatou, ia tagata o Tokelau, e takutino

(intransitive) to say openly; to speak out


tūmau

From Proto-Polynesian *tuqu-maqu. Cognates include Hawaiian kūmau and Samoan tūmau.

Ko Tokelau e fakavae tumau i te Atua.


manuia

From Proto-Polynesian *manu-qia. Cognates include Tuvaluan manuia and Samoan manuia.


fakamanuia

Fakamanuia mai ia Tokelau.

2012, “Tokelau mo te Atua [Tokelau for the God]”:


fānau

From Proto-Polynesian *fanau. Cognates include Hawaiian hānau, Maori whānau, and Tuvaluan faanau.


kekē

From Proto-Polynesian *keke. Cognates include Maori kekē and Samoan 'e'ē.


iloilo

Reduplication of ilo (“to check; to sort out”).


iloga

From Proto-Polynesian *qilo-ŋa. Cognates include Tongan ʻilonga (“sign; to be marked”) and Samoan iloga (“sign; to be distinct”).
Equivalent to ilo (“to be aware of”) + -ga, where the original noun meaning ("mark, sign") was lost in Tokelauan, replaced by the derived fakailoga.


hefulu

From Proto-Nuclear Polynesian *se-fulu, from *se (“any”) + *-fulu (“ten”). Cognates include Tuvaluan sefulu and Samoan sefulu.


hēai

From Proto-Nuclear Polynesian *teqe-ai. Cognates include Samoan leai and Tuvaluan hē ai.


ofo

From Proto-Polynesian *ofo. Cognates include Hawaiian oho and Samoan ofo.


tulivae

From Proto-Polynesian *turi-qi-waqe. Cognates include Tongan tuʻivaʻe and Samoan tulivae.


apogālevelevea

From apogāleveleve (“spider; spiderweb”) + -a.

suffix

(stative) to have a spiderweb on one's face


mālō

From Proto-Polynesian *malo (“victorious”). Cognates include Maori mārō and Samoan mālō.


mālō

From Proto-Polynesian *malo. Cognates include Hawaiian mālō and Samoan mālō.


tukufakatahi

From tuku (“to place”) + fakatahi (“all together”).


kukula

From a reduplicated form of Proto-Polynesian *kula. Cognates include Hawaiian ʻula and Samoan ʻula.


lanumoana

From lanu (“colour”) + moana (“sea”). Akin to Samoan lanumoana.


piniki

Borrowed from English pink. Cognates include Samoan piniki.


hehega

From a reduplicated form of Proto-Polynesian *seŋa. Cognates include Rapa Nui heŋaheŋa and Samoan segasega.


hahama

Reduplication of hama (“to shine one's body”).


kekena

From a reduplicated form of Proto-Polynesian *kena. Cognates include Tongan kena and Samoan ʻena.


auā

(stative) to be abounding with silvery mullet


kāiga

From Proto-Polynesian *kaiga. Cognates include Hawaiian ʻāina and Samoan ʻāiga.


maligi

From Proto-Polynesian *ma-ligi (“spilt”). Cognates include Maori maringi and Samoan maligi.

(intransitive, of water) to flow; to run

(intransitive, of water) to be spilt or spilling


āiā

(intransitive, + ki) to interfere (with)


uaua

(intransitive, + i) to troll, fish (for)


fakapelepele

Reduplication of fakapele (“to do favours for”).