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.
Mō ngā tamariki tēnei whare.
This house is for the children.Mā ngā tauira tēnei pepa.
This paper is for the students.Mā rātou tēnei kai.
This food is for them.Mō tō māmā tēnei hāte.
This shirt is for your mother.Mā wai tēnei pene?
Who is this pen for?Mā Pita tēnei pukapuka.
This book is for Pita.Māu tēnei pene.
This pen is for you.He hanawiti māku.
I want a sandwhich.Mā ngā kaiako tēnei pouaka.
This box is for the teachers.He tī pango māku!
I'll have a black tea!Mōku ērā hū.
Those shoes are for me.Mā ngā tamariki tēnei tākaro.
This toy is for the children.Māna tēnei pukapuka.
This book is for her.Māku
for meHe tī puihiwhero māku.
I'll have a red bush tea.Māna tēnei taonga.
This treasure is for him/her.Mā ngā tauira tēnei akoranga.
This lesson is for the students.Māna ēnei pene.
These pens are for him.Mō rātou tēnei waka.
This vehicle is for them.Mā Pani ēnei pukapuka.
These books are for Pani.He wītipiki anō māu e te tau?
Do you want another weetbix darling?Mō ngā kaumātua tēnei tūru.
This chair is for the elders.Māu te pukapuka nei.
This book is for you.Mō tā rāua tama ērā hū.
Those shoes are for their son.Mō wai ērā hu?
Who are those shoes for?He pānui tēnei māu.
This notice is for you.Mā ngā tamariki tēnei āporo.
This apple is for the children.Mā te kaiako tēnei pouaka whakaata.
This television is for the teacher.Mā te whānau tēnei keke.
This cake is for the family.Māku tēnei.
I will have this one.Māku tēnei kai.
This food is for me.Mō Pita ērā hu.
Those shoes are for Pita.Kia kotahi māku, kia rua mā Ari.
One for me, two for Ari.Māu tēnei pene.
This pen is for you.Mā ngā manuhiri tēnei kai.
This food is for the guests.Mō Niko rāua ko tana tama.
For Niko and his son.Mō ngā tamariki tēnei kākahu.
This clothing is for the children.He kawhe māu e hoa?
Would you like a coffee mate?He panakeke pea māku, kia rua.
Perhaps I'll have two pancakes.Mōku tēnei tūru.
This chair is for me.Mā ngā tāngata tēnei kōrero.
This speech is for the people.Mā rāua tēnei kāri.
This card is for them (two).Mā Aroha ngā putiputi nei.
These flowers are for Aroha.He kawhe, he hanawiti, he keke hoki māku.
I want a coffee, a sandwich and cake.