Ngā Tohutohu
Ki te mutu te ua, ka hoki tātou
Saying ‘if’
The term mehemea or ‘if’ has already been explored. Another way of saying ‘if’ for something that hasn’t happened yet is ki te. Because ki te is used as a future ‘if’, it always implies uncertainty. In the following examples note that when ki te is used to mean ‘if’, it always begins the sentence and is followed directly by the verb.
Hei tauira:
a. Ki te paru ōu ringaringa, ka kohetetia koe e tō whaea.
If your hands are dirty, you will be scolded by your mother.
e. Ki te pupuhi te hau, ka tahuri te poti.
If the wind blows, the boat will capsize.
i. Ki te whakatoi mai koe, e kore ahau e kōrero.
If you are cheeky, I will not speak.
While a variety of verb markers may follow ki te in the second part of these sentences, ka is frequently the verb marker that is used. Sometimes mea may be used with ki te, in which case ka will precede the verb. This suggests that ki te is a shortened form of ki te mea ka… It certainly is common in nineteenth century texts.
Hei tauira:
a. Ki te mea ka tae mai rātou ki konei, ka manaakitia rātou e mātou.
In the event that they arrive here, we will offer them hospitality.
For further explanations and examples see Te Pihinga pp.66-67
Whakatikaina ngā rerenga kōrero e whai ake nei. Tirohia ngā rerenga kōrero i roto i te reo Pākehā hei ārahi i a koe.
Correct the jumbled up sentences below. The English sentences are provided for you to use as a guide.
