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