Māori Grammar

There are several ways to say "if" in te reo Māori.

Ki is used for the future with events that might possibly happen. For example: "if it rains this afternoon I will stay home". It can also be translated as "when it rains I stay home". Ki cannot be used for the past or for events that are impossible (for example: "If I get granted three wishes by a genie...")

Mehema is another way of saying "if" and can be used both for the past and for impossible scenarios. Mehemea can also be used to talk about things that might have happened in the past but which not come about ("If I had won Lotto I would be living in a palace.")

There are variations in mehemea including: me, mei, ki he mea and meina. 

See also:

• If... (using me) - me

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If I was a goldfish I'd live in a lily pond

mehemea, mēnā, mena

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If it rains we will stay home

if using ki te

Mehemea ki te kore e matu tō makamaka i te pāore, ka tangohia e au.
If you don't stop playing with the ball, I'll take it away.

Ka kōrero a Toto, ki ana kōtiro, mehemea e pai rāua ki te moe tāne.
Toto asked his daughters if they wanted husbands.

Ka kōrero a Toto ki ana kōtiro, mehemea e pai rāua ki te moe tāne.
Toto asked his daughters if they wanted to get married.

Mēnā ka haramai koe, ka tunu kai au mā tāua.
If you come over, I will cook food for us.

Mehemea heke te ua, ka haere mātou ki te tāone.
If the rain falls, we will go to town.

Mehemea ka ua āpōpō, kāore au e haere ki te mahi.
If it rains tomorrow, I won't go to work.

Mehemea ka whiti te rā, ka haere mātou ki tātahi.
If the sun shines we will go to the beach.

Mehemea...
If...

Waea mai mēnā ka taea.
Give me a call if you can.

Mehemea ka hoko au i tēnei tarau, ka pau aku moni.
If I buy this shirt, I'll have no money.

Mehemea ka kite he kurī i tētahi tangata, ke auau.
If a dog sees someone, it barks.

Mehemea ka heke te hukapapa, ke haere mātou ki te maunga.
If the snow falls, we will go to the mountain.

Mehemea ko au, e kore au e whakaae. Heoi anō, ko koe kē te rangatira, ehara i a au.
If it were me, I wouldn't agree to it. Still / However, you're the boss, not me.

Me whakapā atu ki a Niko ina ka taea.
Contact M1 if and when you can.

Mehe manu rere au, kua rere ki tō moenga.
If I were a bird that could fly, I would fly to your bed.

Mehemea nō konei koe, e āhei ana koe te tono karahipi i te Poari.
If you're from here, you can or are eligible to apply for a scholarship from the Board.