Section outline

  • Ngā Tono (Commands)

    To give a command there are 2 basic rules:

    For verbs with 2 syllables or less we use:

    E verb              E tū! Stand!     E noho! Sit!

    For verbs with 3 syllables or more we must use the passive verb

    Waiatatia te waiata                  Sing the song

    The sentence structure will look like:

                               Verb (passive ending) + (subject) + ki (preposition) i te (object)

    E.g. Tuhituhia tēnei mahi ki roto i to pukapuka                    Write this work into your book.

    Hei Mahi: Translate into Maori

    1. Take off your shoes.
    2. Put your shoes in the cupboard.
    3. Shut the door.