Māori Grammar
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Future possession can be denoted by the m-class of possessives. Typically, this is translated as something being "for" a person:
māku/mōku - for me
māu/mōu - for you
māna/mōna - for him/her
mā/mō tāua - for us two (you and me)
mā/mō māua - for us two (not you)
mā/mō kōrua - for you two
mā/mō rāua - for them two
mā/mō mātou - for us (three+, exclusive – not including you)
mā/mō tātou - for us (three+, inclusive – including you)
mā/mō koutou - for you all (three+)
mā/mō rātou - for them all (three+)
mā/mō Rangi - for Rangi
mā/mō Rangi rāua ko Mere - for Rangi and Mere
mā/mō te kaiako - for the teacher
mā/mō ngā tamariki - for the children
This uses the a and o categories for the object:
Māku tēnei kai.
This food is for me.
Mōku tēnei wai.
This water is for me.
Mā/mō describes "unrealised possession" where something is owned by a person but they have not yet received it. (An example might be where a person has bought a book online and have paid for it, but it is still being delivered and they have not yet received it.)
Mō ngā tamariki tērā papa tākaro.
That playground is for the children.
This assumes that the children are not yet in possession of the playground as it shows future (not current) ownership. Perhaps the playground is still being built.
The m-class marks prospective possession - i.e., something that is intended, designated, set aside, or destined for someone. The person does not own it yet; it is merely allocated to them. The m-class is used for gifts you intend to give, meals you are about to cook for someone, and tasks you are assigned to do for someone.
Mā ngā tauira tēnei pepa.
This paper is for the students.Mō ngā tamariki tēnei whare.
This house is for the children.Mā ngā tamariki tēnei āporo.
This apple is for the children.He kawhe, he hanawiti, he keke hoki māku.
I want a coffee, a sandwich and cake.Māu tēnei pene.
This pen is for you.Māku tēnei.
I will have this one.He tī puihiwhero māku.
I'll have a red bush tea.He hanawiti māku.
I want a sandwhich.Mā ngā tamariki tēnei tākaro.
This toy is for the children.Māku
for meMōku ērā hū.
Those shoes are for me.Māna tēnei taonga.
This treasure is for him/her.He wītipiki anō māu e te tau?
Do you want another weetbix darling?Mō Ari rāua ko tana tama.
For Ari and his son.Mōku tēnei tūru.
This chair is for me.Mā ngā tauira tēnei akoranga.
This lesson is for the students.Mā rātou tēnei kai.
This food is for them.He tī pango māku!
I'll have a black tea!Kia kotahi māku, kia rua mā Honi.
One for me, two for Honi.Mō Kauri ērā hu.
Those shoes are for Kauri.Mō rātou tēnei waka.
This vehicle is for them.Mō ngā tamariki tēnei kākahu.
This clothing is for the children.Mā rāua tēnei kāri.
This card is for them (two).Mā te whānau tēnei keke.
This cake is for the family.Mā ngā kaiako tēnei pouaka.
This box is for the teachers.He kawhe māu e hoa?
Would you like a coffee mate?Mā Manu ngā putiputi nei.
These flowers are for Manu.Mō tā rāua tama ērā hū.
Those shoes are for their son.Mā Pani ēnei pukapuka.
These books are for Pani.Māu te pukapuka nei.
This book is for you.Mā wai tēnei pene?
Who is this pen for?Mā ngā manuhiri tēnei kai.
This food is for the guests.Mā Pita tēnei pukapuka.
This book is for Pita.Mā te kaiako tēnei pouaka whakaata.
This television is for the teacher.Māna tēnei pukapuka.
This book is for her.Mō wai ērā hu?
Who are those shoes for?Mō tō māmā tēnei hāte.
This shirt is for your mother.Mō ngā kaumātua tēnei tūru.
This chair is for the elders.He panakeke pea māku, kia rua.
Perhaps I'll have two pancakes.Māku tēnei kai.
This food is for me.He pānui tēnei māu.
This notice is for you.Mā ngā tāngata tēnei kōrero.
This speech is for the people.