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Adverbs of direction (mai, atu) Grammar Exercises for Maori Language
Adverbs of direction, such as "mai" and "atu," play a crucial role in the Maori language, providing clarity and specificity to the movement and positioning of subjects in relation to the speaker. "Mai" typically indicates movement towards the speaker, while "atu" signifies movement away from the speaker. Understanding and correctly using these adverbs can greatly enhance your fluency and comprehension of Maori, enabling you to convey spatial and directional nuances with greater precision.
In this section, you will find a variety of grammar exercises designed to help you master the use of "mai" and "atu" in different contexts. These exercises will guide you through practical examples and scenarios, reinforcing your ability to distinguish and appropriately apply these directional adverbs in everyday conversations. Whether you're a beginner or looking to refine your skills, these exercises will build your confidence and proficiency in using "mai" and "atu" effectively in the Maori language.
Exercise 1
<p>1. Kei te haere mai a Pita ki te kura *mai* (towards the speaker).</p>
<p>2. Kua oma atu te ngeru i te whare *atu* (away from the speaker).</p>
<p>3. E piki ana te tama ki runga o te maunga *atu* (up and away).</p>
<p>4. Kua hoki mai ngā tamariki ki te kāinga *mai* (back towards the speaker).</p>
<p>5. I te rere atu te manu ki te rangi *atu* (flying away).</p>
<p>6. Kei te hoki mai tāua ki te mahi *mai* (returning towards us).</p>
<p>7. E kai ana te kurī i te kai i te taha o te awa *atu* (away from the speaker).</p>
<p>8. Kua peke mai te ngeru ki runga i te moenga *mai* (jumping towards the speaker).</p>
<p>9. Kei te haere atu te waka ki te moana *atu* (towards the sea, away from the speaker).</p>
<p>10. Kua hoki mai rātou i te rā whakanui *mai* (returning towards the speaker).</p>
Exercise 2
<p>1. Kua haere a Hine ki reira, engari kua hoki *mai* ia inaianei (she has returned).</p>
<p>2. Me haere *atu* koe ki te kura ia ata (you should go to school every morning).</p>
<p>3. Kei te oma te kuri *mai* i te papa ki te whare (the dog is running from the park to the house).</p>
<p>4. Ko te waka rererangi kei te rere *atu* ki Ahitereiria (the plane is flying to Australia).</p>
<p>5. Kei te hīkoi a Pita *mai* i te toa ki tōna kāinga (Pita is walking from the shop to his home).</p>
<p>6. Kua piki te tamaiti *atu* ki runga i te maunga (the child has climbed up the mountain).</p>
<p>7. Kei te titiro te ngeru *mai* i te matapihi ki waho (the cat is looking out the window).</p>
<p>8. Haere *atu* ki te moana, kei te pai te rangi mō te kaukau (go to the sea, the weather is good for swimming).</p>
<p>9. Kei te hoki *mai* a Matua i te mahi ki te kāinga (Matua is returning home from work).</p>
<p>10. Kua rere te manu *atu* ki te ngahere (the bird has flown to the forest).</p>
Exercise 3
<p>1. Kei te haere koe *atu* ki te marae (away from the speaker).</p>
<p>2. Kua hoki mai ngā tamariki *mai* i te kura (towards the speaker).</p>
<p>3. Ka rere te manu *atu* ki te rangi (away from the speaker).</p>
<p>4. Haere *mai* ki konei, kei te mākū koe (towards the speaker).</p>
<p>5. E oma ana te kurī *atu* i te whare (away from the speaker).</p>
<p>6. Kua tae *mai* te pahi ki te teihana (towards the speaker).</p>
<p>7. Ka hīkoi a Pita *atu* ki te awa (away from the speaker).</p>
<p>8. Haere *mai* ki te kai, kua reri te kai (towards the speaker).</p>
<p>9. I rere te rererangi *atu* ki Ahitereiria (away from the speaker).</p>
<p>10. Kei te peke te ngeru *mai* ki runga i te tēpu (towards the speaker).</p>