Māori Grammar

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Why did? - He aha... i... ai?

Six types of why questions.

1. Why did something happen in the past?

He aha [who] i [verb] ai?

He aha koe i haere ai?
Why did you go?

Why did Mere drive to the supermarket?
Why did Mere drive to the supermarket?
he aha... i... ai?

Ko te aha tēnei?
What is this thing?

He aha koe i tae tōmuri ai i tēnei ?
Why did you arrive late today?

Ko te aha te ?
What's the time?

He aha taku motokā i pakaru ai?
Why did my car break down?

He aha koe e pēnā ai?
Why are you like that?

He aha a Ari i kōrero pēnā ai?
Why did Ari say it like that?

He aha koe i kore ai e haere?
Why didn't you go?

He aha ngā tamariki i hoki ai ki te kāinga?
Why did the kids return home?

He aha koe i tōmuri ai?
Why are you late?

Ko te aha kei te tukituki ki te wini?
What is banging against the window?

He aha a Pāora i haere ai ki Hawai'i?
Why did Pāora go to Hawai'ī?

He aha koe i haere ai?
Why did you go?

He aha a Koa i kore ai e ki te whakatau i ngā manuhiri?
Why didn't Koa get up to greet the guests?

Ko te Rāpare tēnei ?
Is it Thursday today?

He aha rāua i mārena ai?
Why did those two get married?

He aha rātou i kai ai i ērā āporo?
Why did they eat those apples?

Ko te aha tino kiriata?
What is your favourite movie?

He aha ai?
Why?

He aha ō kākahu i paru ai?
Why are your clothes dirty?

He aha koe i haere ai ki te taone?
Why did you go to town?

Ko te aha tēnei ?
What day is it?

He aha rātou i peka ai ki taua marae?
Why did they visit that marae?

He aha koe i haere ai ki te pāpara kāutu?
Why did you go to the pub?

He aha a Mere i hoki mai ai?
Why did Mere come back?

He aha ia i kata ai?
Why did she laugh?

Ko te aha?
What?

Ko te aha te ingoa o te kamupene?
What is the name of the business?

Ko tēnea tangata te rōia?
Which person is the lawyer?