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Māori Grammar

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Unrealised possession - mā, māku

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.

See also:
The difference between nā and nō
▶
The difference between nā and nō
Nāku versus nōku
You will be the one to do the dishes
▶
You will be the one to do the dishes
Future possession and action using m-class possessives
The food is for the hangi
▶
The food is for the hangi
mā and mō for things and events

Mō tō māmā tēnei hāte.
This shirt is for your mother.

Mā ngā tauira tēnei pepa.
This paper is for the students.

Mō wai ērā hu?
Who are those shoes for?

Māku tēnei.
I will have this one.

He kawhe, he hanawiti, he keke hoki māku.
I want a coffee, a sandwich and cake.

Mā ngā manuhiri tēnei kai.
This food is for the guests.

Mā te whānau tēnei keke.
This cake is for the family.

He tī puihiwhero māku.
I'll have a red bush tea.

He kawhe māu e hoa?
Would you like a coffee mate?

Mō ngā tamariki tēnei whare.
This house is for the children.

Mō tātou.
For all of us.

Mā ngā tamariki tēnei tākaro.
This toy is for the children.

Māku tēnei kai.
This food is for me.

Mā rātou tēnei kai.
This food is for them.

Mōku ērā hū.
Those shoes are for me.

Mō ngā kaumātua tēnei tūru.
This chair is for the elders.

Mō ngā tamariki tēnei kākahu.
This clothing is for the children.

Mā Pani ēnei pukapuka.
These books are for Pani.

Kia kotahi māku, kia rua mā Nikau.
One for me, two for Nikau.

Mā ngā tamariki tēnei āporo.
This apple is for the children.

Mō tā rāua tama ērā hū.
Those shoes are for their son.

Mō Honi ērā hu.
Those shoes are for Honi.

Māku
for me

Mā ngā kaiako tēnei pouaka.
This box is for the teachers.

He tī pango māku!
I'll have a black tea!

Mō Amaru rāua ko tana tama.
For Amaru and his son.

Māna ēnei pene.
These pens are for him.

He pānui tēnei māu.
This notice is for you.

Mā wai tēnei pene?
Who is this pen for?

Mā Pita tēnei pukapuka.
This book is for Pita.

Mā ngā tāngata tēnei kōrero.
This speech is for the people.

Māna tēnei taonga.
This treasure is for him/her.

Mā Hera ngā putiputi nei.
These flowers are for Hera.

Mōku tēnei tūru.
This chair is for me.

He wītipiki anō māu e te tau?
Do you want another weetbix darling?

Māna tēnei pukapuka.
This book is for her.

Mō rātou tēnei waka.
This vehicle is for them.

Māu tēnei pene.
This pen is for you.

He hanawiti māku.
I want a sandwhich.

Mā te kaiako tēnei pouaka whakaata.
This television is for the teacher.

Mā rāua tēnei kāri.
This card is for them (two).

Mā ngā tauira tēnei akoranga.
This lesson is for the students.

Māu tēnei pene.
This pen is for you.

Māu te pukapuka nei.
This book is for you.

He panakeke pea māku, kia rua.
Perhaps I'll have two pancakes.