Māori Grammar

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Don't talk like that!

pēnei, pēna, pēra

The words pēnei, pēnā and pērā mean "like this" or "like that.'

He aha i pēnei ai?
Why is it like this? (near me)

He aha i pēnā ai?
Why is it like that? (near you)

He aha i pērā ai?
Why is it like this? (over there)

Ki te ngaro te reo, ka ngaro tāua pērā i te moa.
If the language is lost, we are lost like that of the large extinct moa bird.

Kei te pērā tonu hoki a muri i a ia.
Those behind him were doing the same.

Nā te aha koe i titiro tītaha pērā mai ai?
What caused you to look sideways at me like that?

Kāore au i te pīrangi ki tētehi kai pērā i tēnei ata.
I do not want any food like that this morning.

Nā te aha i pērā ai?
For what reason is it like that?

E, kāti te kōrero pēnā mō taku mokopuna!
Hey, stop talking like that about my grandchild!

He pērā te āhua o Amaru, he ngākau māhaki tōna.
Amaru's nature is like that, he has a kind heart.

Kei te pērā tonu au.
I'm unchanged.

Kei te mau hū au pērā i a Michael Jordan.
I am wearing shoes like Michael Jordan.

I moe ia, pēnei tonu i a Tamahae nei.
He was asleep, just like Tamae here.

Me pēnei taku kōrero...
Let me tell you like this...

Me pēnei.
(You should do it) like this.

He aha koe i titiro tītaha pēnā mai ai?
Why do you always look sideways at me like that?

Nā te aha i pēnā ai?
For what reason is it like this?

Ka waiata koe pērā i a Tui Teka.
You sing like Tui Teka.

Kei te moe tonu pea, pērā i tō rāua pāpā.
They are probably still sleeping, just like their father.

He pai ki a au ngā rangi pēnei, he ātaahua.
I like days like this - beautiful!

Nā te aha i pēnei ai?
For what reason is it like this?