Ngā Tohutohu
He hōhā nōku i kōrero pēnei ai
One way of answering ‘why’ question
There are a variety of ways to answer ‘why’ questions, one way is the use of either nā or nō used in combination with the sentence starter he.
Tauira:
| He aha koe i kore ai e haere ki te mahi? |
Why didn’t you go to work? |
| He māngere nōku. |
Because I’m lazy. |
| He aha i pēnei rawa ai te teitei o te taiapa nei? |
Why is this fence so high? |
| He kaha nō ngā tia ki te peke taiapa. |
Because the deer are
so good at jumping fences. |
Here is another example that uses the ō category.Notice that with theses examples the ō category are used because qualities or emotions are involved, and notice also their position within the sentence.
Tauira:
| He aha te tamaiti i tangi ai? |
Why did the child cry? |
| He āwangawanga nōna kei mahue ia i te pahi. |
Because he/she was worried
about missing the bus. |
He mahi whakamāori tēnei. Tirohia ngā rerenga Pākehā e whakamahi ana i ētahi kare ā-roto. Whakamahia ēnei kupu hei ako i te reo kātahi anō ka akona e koe.
This is a translation exercise. Look at the English sentences that are using some words for feelings/quality. Use these words to practice the grammar pattern you just learnt.
Tauira:
Because I’m hungry.
He matekai nōku.
