The Kiwi
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Leo
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Todd
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Todd: OK, Leonard, now, when most people think of Kiwi, at least Americans, we think of the fruit.
Leo: Right, right. Also in Japan as well.
Todd: Oh, really! OK. But, uh, people from New Zealand are called Kiwis not because of the fruit I take it.
Leo: That's right. That's right. The nickname for New Zealanders is Kiwi, and actually the Kiwi bird... Kiwi is actually a Maori name, and Maori are the native people of New Zealand.
Todd: Oh, wow!
Leo: And so Kiwi, the pronunciation of Kiwi K-I-W-I KEE-WEE, Maori has similar pronunciation to the Japanese language, ah, ee, uu, eh, oh. They pronounce the vowels.
Todd: OK. I'm..what is Kiwi?
Leo: A kiwi is a nocturnal bird, which only walks, it doesn't fly.
Todd: OK. So nocturnal means it only comes out at night.
Leo: Right. Right. And in the deep forest. Actually, you'd never see a Kiwi if you went to New Zealand, unless you went to the zoo.
Todd: Oh, really!
Leo: Right!
Todd: OK.
Leo: And the brown Kiwi is the most, uh, rarest of them all. They're only I think, there are less than one thousand brown kiwis left.
Todd: Wow. So..
Leo: It can only be found in New Zealand.
Todd: Ok. OK. maybe I missed it but can it fly.
Leo: No, no it can't.
Todd: It can't fly.
Leo: It can only walk.
Todd: Wow, so it only comes out at night...in the deep forest and it can't fly.
Leo: You'd be surprised. If you go to New Zealand, uh, there are over twenty different types of birds that walk.
Todd: Really! That's fascinating. Well, thanks for telling us about the Kiwi.
Leo: You're welcome.
at least
When people think of Kiwi, at least Americans, they think of the fruit.
We use the phrase 'at least' like this to give more specific information to a general statement. The sentence isn't talking about all people, it is specifically talking about Americans. Notice the following:
- This week, at least Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, he will be
very busy.
- Most teenagers, at least the students that I have, always have
their cell phones with them.
as well
People in Japan think of the Kiwi as a fruit, as well.
'As well' means the same as 'also' and 'too.' Notice the following:
- I think I will get a chocolate ice cream as well.
- He works at Best Buy as well.
less than
There are less than one thousand brown Kiwis left.
The phrase 'less than' is used with a number to mean the same as 'fewer than.' It means that the number of Kiwis left is below 1,000. Notice the following:
- We have less than a half a tank of gas.
- There were less than 50 people at the wedding.
nocturnal
The Kiwi is a nocturnal bird, so it only comes out at night.
Something that is 'nocturnal' is most active during the night. Notice the following:
- I am kind of a nocturnal person and enjoy staying up late.
- Bats are nocturnal animals.
over
In New Zealand, there are over twenty different types of birds that walk.
When 'over' is used like this it means 'more than' and is used in combination with a number. Notice the following:
- I have over 20 new emails.
- You must be tired. You drove for over ten hours today.
Vocabulary Quiz
nocturnal • over
