niho

Niho is a word in the Māori language meaning "tooth." It is a basic noun used to describe the anatomical tooth and appears in everyday speech as well as in texts that discuss dental health, anatomy, or related topics. The term is part of a wider family of Polynesian vocabulary, and cognates with similar meanings are found in other Polynesian languages such as Samoan and Hawaiian, reflecting shared linguistic roots across the region.

In Māori, niho can be encountered in ordinary conversation, medical or educational materials, and traditional knowledge that references teeth and dental structures. As with many basic vocabulary items, the word also contributes to metaphorical expressions related to biting, strength, or decisiveness, although such uses depend on context and are not unique to niho alone.

Phonology and morphology are straightforward: niho consists of two syllables, ni-ho, with stress commonly placed on the first or second syllable depending on the sentence and dialect. Māori generally forms plurality and affirmative statements through context and surrounding words rather than explicit plural markers on the noun niho itself.

Beyond its linguistic sense, niho is often encountered in discussions of Māori language education and cultural heritage as an example of a core vocabulary item that demonstrates cross-Polynesian connections among related languages. See also Māori language, Polynesian languages, Samoan language, and Hawaiian language.