Exercises on Possessive Forms of Nouns in Maori

Mastering the possessive forms of nouns in Maori is an essential step for anyone looking to achieve fluency in this beautiful and expressive language. Possessive forms in Maori are crucial for indicating relationships, ownership, and various other connections between people, objects, and concepts. Unlike English, where possessives are often formed simply by adding an apostrophe and an "s," Maori possessives involve distinct particles and structures that need to be understood and practiced to be used correctly. These exercises are designed to help you grasp the nuances of Maori possessive forms, from the basic "a" and "o" categories to more complex structures involving dual and plural relationships. By working through these exercises, you will gain confidence in forming and using possessives in different contexts, ensuring you can communicate effectively and accurately. Whether you are a beginner or looking to refine your existing knowledge, these exercises will provide valuable practice to enhance your command of Maori possessive forms.

Exercise 1

1. Ko te whare *o te kaiako* (teacher's) kei te pito o te tiriti (whose house?).

2. Kei te taha o te awa te waka *o Hine* (Hine's) (whose canoe?).

3. Kei runga i te tēpu ngā pukapuka *a ngā tauira* (students') (whose books?).

4. Kei roto i te pātaka ngā kai *a Māmā* (mother's) (whose food?).

5. Ko te wharekarakia *o ngā iwi* (tribes') kei te tihi o te maunga (whose church?).

6. Kei te marae ngā tamariki *a Pāpā* (father's) (whose children?).

7. Kei roto i te motokā ngā hāte *a te tama* (boy's) (whose shirts?).

8. Kei te moana ngā waka *a ngā tangata* (people's) (whose canoes?).

9. Kei runga i te rūma ngā mīhini *a te kaitiaki* (guardian's) (whose machines?).

10. Kei te whare pukapuka ngā pukapuka *a te kaiwhakaako* (teacher's) (whose books?).

Exercise 2

1. Ko te whare *o Hōne* (belonging to Hōne).

2. Kei hea te pene *a Mere*? (belonging to Mere).

3. He pai ki ahau te kai *a Māmā* (belonging to Māmā).

4. Ko te waka *o Pita* tērā (belonging to Pita).

5. Kei te kura te pouaka *a Hine* (belonging to Hine).

6. Ko te ngeru *a Rewi* kei runga i te tūru (belonging to Rewi).

7. Kei te pāmu te kurī *a Wiremu* (belonging to Wiremu).

8. He nui te whare *o Rangi* (belonging to Rangi).

9. Kei roto i te pēke te pukapuka *a Tia* (belonging to Tia).

10. Ko te waka rererangi *o Hēmi* kei te taunga rererangi (belonging to Hēmi).

Exercise 3

1. Ko te whare *tōku* (my) whare.

2. Kei hea ngā tamariki *āna* (his/her) tamariki?

3. Kei te tākaro ngā kuri *tāna* (his/her) kuri.

4. He nui te whare *tō* (your) whare.

5. He pai ki a rātou te kai *ā rātou* (their - plural) kai.

6. Ko te pukapuka *tāku* (my) pukapuka tēnei.

7. He rākau nui *tōna* (his/her) rākau.

8. He pai ki a mātou te haere ki *tō* (your) marae.

9. Kei te ako te tauira i *tāna* (his/her) mahi.

10. Ko te waka *tā rātou* (their - plural) waka tēnei.