Māori Grammar
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There are four directional markers in te reo Māori:
mai - towards me
atu - away from me
ake - up
iho - down
Atu is used to describe action away from the speaker.
Haere atu!
Go away.
Me kōrero atu koe.
You should speak to someone else.
You speak over there (away from me).
Literally: You should speak away.
Kei te haere atu a Hone.
John is going away.
Atu is also used as an intensifier, especially when used with rawa:
He tino pai rawa atu tōu reo.
Your voice is very good indeed.
Kōrero atu ki a Ari.
Speak to Ari.Whakarongo atu!
Listen (out for something)!Hoki atu ki tērā kokonga.
Go back to that corner over there.I whai atu a ia i te ahi kāpara.
He followed [her] by means of the burning torch.Tīkina atu tō pāpā!
Go and get your father!Ka mutu te hui, ka haere atu ngā manuhiri ki te whare kai.
When the meeting ended, the visitors went to the eating house.Oma atu i a ia!
Run away from her!Ka pangaa atu to pāoro e Ari ki a Hēmi.
Ari passes the ball to Hēmi.Āta hīkoi atu kei kuhu ō waewae ki te paru.
Walk carefully so you don't step in the mud.Kia tīkina atu he whakataukī e hāngai ana kī tēnei kaupapa...
Let me grab a proverb...Te taunga rawatanga atu o Paki i te waka, ka tīmata ia ki te kaukau.
As soon as Paki jumped out of the boat, he began swimming.E tama, mauria atu he tūru māna.
Hey boy, take a chair for her.Katia atu te kuaha.
Shut the door to keep the outside noise out!Tokomaha i haere atu ki tōna tangihanga.
Many went to her funeral.Whakaae atu ana a Te Tahi.
Te Tahi agreed.Te rongonga atu o Taika i te kōrero a tana tuahine...
When Taika heard what his sister said...Kua tae atu te tokorua nei ki te wharekai.
The pair have arrived at the restaurant.Ka whakamau atu au i te kope mā.
I'll put a fresh nappy on.Mauria atu te pukapuka rā!
Bring me that book!Kuhu atu ki roto i tō moenga.
Get in your bed.Tae atu a Ponga ki tana taha.
Ponga reached her side.Kua tae atu koe ki Te Rerenga Wairua?
Have you been to Cape Reinga.Whakapangia atu ki muri rawa o te pouaka.
Stick it to the far side of the box.Pātai atu ki a Matua Kūkara.
Ask Uncle Google.Hoki atu ki te rūma rā!
Return to that room!E tāria atu nei a tuahangata.
The man of the moment is being waited for.Kuhu atu te kī ki raro i te takapau.
Hide the key under the mat.Pātai atu ki te kaihoko mō te utu.
Ask the salesperson for the price.I nahea koe i wehe atu ai ki Poneke?
When did you leave for Wellington?Mihi atu ki ōu kaumātua.
Greet your elders.Ka heare tonu atu nei ahau.
I'll go right now.E oma atu ā tāua tamariki hōhā.
Our exasperating children are running away.Mauria atu te ika nei!
Take this fish away!Tīkina atu he miraka, he paraoa hoki.
Get some milk and some bread too.Haria atu tēnei ki a Pāpā.
Take this to Daddy.Hei āpōpō haere atu ai au ki te tāone.
Tomorrow I am going to town.