Exercise Three

Dual personal pronouns

You will notice that there are differences between personal pronouns in the English language and those used in the Māori language. In Māori the same words are used regardless of the gender of the person or people referred to. In Māori, there is a separate set of personal pronouns used to refer to two people. These are called “dual personal pronouns”. These dual personal pronouns are kōrua, rāua, māua and tāua. Different words are used by the speaker to indicate whether the listener(s) or speaker are included or not.

Includes the speaker and the listener(s)Excludes the listener(s)Excludes the speakerIncludes neither the speaker or listener(s)
Dual personal pronoun
tāua

we, us, you and I

māua

we, us, but not you
kōrua

you two
rāua

they, them

Whiriwhirihia te kupu tika mō ia āputa.
Choose the correct answer for every gap.

Don’t forget to use commas, question marks, and fullstops and macrons where appropriate (ā,ē,ī,ō, and ū).

Tēnā

Greetings (to 2 people)

Kei te haere

ki hea?

Where are we (you and I) going?

Kei te haere

ki te toa.

She and I are going to the shop

Kei te haere

ko Te Hererīpene ki te whare pikita.

Te Hererīpene and I are going to the picture theatre.

Kei te haere a Wiremu

ko Tarati ki te whare o Mīria.

Wiremu and Tarati are going to Mīria’s house.

Me haere

ki te kai?

Shall we (you and I) go and eat?

Kei te haere

ki te whare tāonga?

Are you two going to the museum?

Kei te pai

?

Are those two okay?

Kei te aha

?

What are you two doing?

Kei te hiakai

.

He and I are hungry.

Me noho

ki kōnei.

We must stay here.

Kei te moe a Te Hererīpene

ko Eruera.

Te Hererīpene and Eruera are sleeping.